Development of a Coherent Scattering Model for Polarimetric SAR Interferometry Applications

Abstract

In this paper we present a stochastic coherent polarimetric scattering model, which can be used for interferometric simulation. Based on preceding publications we will give a brief description of the capabilities of the model regarding the simulation of natural targets and the physical interpretation of the scattering processes. Two important features of the model are the simulation of temporal and volume decorrelation. These effects occur particularly over vegetated areas, such as forests. In order to validate the predications of the model we compared them with full polarimetric and interferometric L-band SAR data from DLR's E-SAR sensor over a forested area at the Oberpfaffenhofen (Germany) test site. The results show that it is possible to relate the interferometric coherence to the height distribution of the illuminated scatterers and thus the tree heights.