3D Synthetic Aperture Radar Simulation for Interpreting Complex Urban Reflection Scenarios

Abstract

Due to the high spatial resolution of up to 1 m, very high resolution spaceborne SAR sensors such as TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X or COSMO-SkyMed enable the monitoring of single objects on the earth surface. However, the interpretation of the appearance of objects on SAR images is difficult due to distortion effects like foreshortening or layover. So far, the nature of scatterers evoking prominent SAR image features is still not known in detail. Simulation methods based on rendering algorithms enable to support the visual interpretation of SAR images, as the focus can be set on the object geometry. Mainly developed for providing test data sets, simulators reported in the literature are limited to the azimuth-range plane. Additional methods for exploiting the geometry of simulated data still have to be developed. In order to overcome these limitations, the work presented in this thesis adresses three new aspects. First, SAR simulation is conducted in three dimensions, including the elevation domain. Second, methods for the directed analysis of image signatures are introduced. Finally, the inversion of SAR imaging systems is simulated for analyzing the physical origin of SAR image signatures.