SAR target decomposition for stochastic natural targets for L- and C-band

The authors propose a new fast algorithm for calculating target entropy and scattering mechanism (alpha angle) estimates for polarimetric SAR data. This new approach applies only for natural targets and it is validated with L- and C-band data. The algorithm is based on the fact that averaged covariance matrix for natural distributed targets presented in Pauli basis has a nearly diagonal form and additional diagonalisation applying eigenvalue calculation is not necessary. The proposed algorithm reduces computing times and allows calculation of the target entropy and scattering mechanism type for large polarimetric SAR images. The algorithm can be used in various applications where small error in calculations is allowed. Some illustrative calculations using full polarimetric L- and C-band SAR data are presented