A novel 3D visualization method of SAR data

Nowadays, the 3D radar is vigorous in the radar field. The data collected by those radars, such as SAR, is quite valuable. However, there are some problems in image interpretation. In order to analyse the SAR image more accurately, 3D visualization is a necessary assistant technology. The traditional visualization method visualizes the data by OpenGL´s fixed pipelines with optical models, which not only work on a different reflection principle from microwave models, but also change the raw value of SAR data. This paper presents a novel method to enhance 3D visualization of SAR data, which generates the visual and shadow effects with microwave scattering models, and also reserves the raw information. The method is based on OpenGL´s programmable pipelines. It takes advantage of geometry information from digital elevation model (DEM) and scattering information from simulated SAR image to realize the 3D visualization with OpenGL Shading Language (GLSL). In the end of this paper, we show the results using a terrain model with SAR data to create the surface and what´s more, create a shadow without losing the scattering information of SAR data.