Quality and seasonal time dependent modeling of radar backscatter from TanDEM-X data

Radar backscatter knowledge represents a key parameter for many remote sensing applications which are based on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems. The worldwide, interferometric SAR data set of images acquired within the TanDEM-X mission allows for the characterization of X-band backscatter using a statistical modeling approach on a global scale, having the chance to exploit the unique high quality topographic information associated to it. The input measurements are differently assessed by using a quality-based approach. A series of models can be derived, focusing on the backscatter dependency on polarization, incidence angle, and ground classification. Additional models can be derived depending on the acquisition seasonal time of the considered data. Preliminary results obtained from the X-band radar backscatter modeling approach are presented. The generation of up-to-date backscatter models for X-band will provide a useful data base for the development of a large number of remote sensing applications and for the optimization of future radar systems.