Characterization of Facade Regularities in High-Resolution SAR Images

Abstract

The grammar of facade structures is often related to regularly distributed signature patterns in high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. Given those patterns in the imagery, they should be used as a source of information for identifying changes related to the facade. This paper presents a method for characterizing the layover area pertinent to regularly arranged facade structures, formulated on a general basis for single azimuth/range SAR images and geocoded SAR images. The analysis follows assumptions on the intensity distribution, the linear arrangement, and the regularity of point-like signatures. Two case studies on facades are presented, which confirm the applicability of the method for different building types. Based on that, the potentials and limitations of the algorithm are discussed with respect to applications such as change detection and persistent scatterer interferometry.