Soil moisture and vegetation height retrieval using GNSS-R techniques

Global Navigation Satellite Signals Reflections (GNSS-R) techniques are currently being used for remote sensing purposes retrieving geophysical parameters over different types of surfaces. Over the ocean, sea state information can be retrieved to improve the ocean salinity retrieval. Furthermore, over land these techniques can be used to retrieve soil moisture. This paper presents the theoretical and experimental results of using GNSS-R to retrieve soil moisture when vegetation is present. The particular technique being applied in this study is the Interference Pattern Technique (IPT) that measures the interference pattern of the GPS direct and reflected signals, after reflecting over the surface.