Iceberg detection using analysis of the received polarization ellipse in compact polarimetry

Iceberg monitoring, as well as maritime surveillance in general, is an important application of synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Compact polarimetry offers the potential for improved detection performance compared to traditional linear dualpol SAR. The Radarsat Constellation, Canada´s next Radarsat satellite, will collect compact polarimetric data in a variety of imaging modes. Using Radarsat-2 fine-quad mode data we have simulated Radarsat Constellation data and calculated the detection performance of the compact data using 25 validated iceberg locations in the Labrador Sea. We also propose a method through which the shape and orientation of the received polarization ellipse in the compact polarimetric data can be used to improve the detection performance.