A novel method for dual channel POLSAR raw data compression

Polarimetric SAR (POLSAR) can offer more information than single-polarized SAR. At the same time dual-channel POLSAR results in much more data than the single-polarized SAR which is difficult to process on board. This paper presents a method for dual channel POLSAR raw data compression with the relative phase between HH and HV channel being reserved. In this method, the amplitude is quantized for Rayleigh distribution with the phase of HH and VV channel quantized for uniform distribution. The phase difference between HH and HV channel is optimally quantized for triangular distribution. Results show that by quantizing the phase difference, the relative phase information between HH and HV channel can be well preserved. Also the method can be used in full-polarimetric mode.