Multidimensional SAR tomography for complex non-stationary scenes: COSMO-SkyMed urban and P-band forest results

Multibaseline (MB) SAR tomographic (3D) elevation beamforming, i.e. spatial spectral estimation, is a promising technique in the growing field of advanced interferometric SAR methods for sensing complex scenarios with multiple (layover or volumetric) scatterers mapped in the SAR cell. Recently, the Tomo concept has been integrated with the differential interferometry concept, producing the new “differential tomography” (Diff-Tomo, “4D”) processing mode. Advances in the experiments of these new frameworks are presented for complex multiple scattering scenarios, also with temporal signal variations, both from scatterer deformation motions and temporal decorrelation. Results are reported of Tomo/Diff-Tomo single-look superresolution and light-burden processing in urban areas, with the new generation high-resolution COSMO-SkyMed data. Moreover, new results are shown concerning the innovative capability of Diff-Tomo of analyzing volumetric forest scenarios, based on the original concept of the “space-time” signatures of temporal decorrelation. E-SAR P-band analyses are reported about separation of the canopy and ground temporal decorrelation mechanisms.