Path processing and block bundle adjustment with RADARSAT-1 SAR images

A spatio-triangulation process is applied to 15 RADARSAT-SAR fine mode images (5 paths by 3 rows). The paths were acquired over the Rocky Mountains, Canada, from different look angles (F1 and F4), creating a weak 6° intersection geometry. A precise geometric correction model and algorithms developed at CCRS were used. Results over 3-image paths and 5-path block gave errors of 20 m and 25-35 m, respectively. These final errors are mainly due to the weak 6°-intersection geometry, but also include the map errors. For better accuracy, the adjacent paths should have 8° minimum difference in the look angles.