Spaceborne SAR calibration studies: ERS-1

A time series of imagery containing distributed and point target calibration references obtained by the ERS-1 SAR system is being used in calibration studies at the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS). Acquisition of SAR data of the Ottawa region containing point targets received during the ERS-1 Multi-Disciplinary Phase was begun in July, 1992 and continued until December, 1993. These data were processed into imagery at the Canadian Data Processing Facility. Averaged variations in backscatter of forested regions in the Gatineau Hills have been examined and found to follow closely the variations in the calibration constant (obtained using a corner reflector with signal-to-clutter of approximately 25 dB) with a standard deviation of 0.5 dB