Ionospheric effects on polarimetric and interferometric space-borne SAR

In recent years, both polarimetric and interferometric SAR techniques have provided important scientific results. To be useful for science applications, these techniques require precise phase and amplitude calibration. In order to cover large areas using these techniques, it is necessary to use a space-borne SAR. Due to ionospheric disturbance, a space-borne SAR may not be able to produce data useful for science applications. In this paper, the authors present ionospheric effects on polarimetric and interferometric SAR images, especially at lower frequencies. First, they derive analytic equations to investigate ionospheric effects on both range and azimuth compressions. Then, using these equations, they examine important parameters such as pulse dispersion, time delay, and loss of azimuth resolution. They also present possible correction schemes to compensate ionospheric disturbance