The AIRSAR/TOPSAR integrated multi-frequency polarimetric and interferometric SAR processor

To really derive the maximum information content from SAR data, it is desirable to combine polarimetric and interferometric techniques, preferably at multiple frequencies. The NASA/JPL AIRSAR/TOPSAR system is capable of simultaneously acquiring interferometric (C- and/or L-band) and polarimetric data (C-, L- and P-band). The authors describe a processing approach that is used to process data acquired in these modes. This approach is different from that described by Madsen et al. (1993) in both the motion compensation approach, as well as in the sense that data are deskewed before interferograms are formed. Using this approach, the same basic SAR processor is used to process data acquired in any of the modes supported by the AIRSAR/TOPSAR system