POLSAR data compensation for terrain azimuth slope variation

Abstract

This paper addresses the problem of polarimetric SAR data correction for slope induced radar cross section variations in the azimuth direction. Most radiometric slope corrections remove slope effects in the range direction to account for local incidence angle variation. Two approaches to compensate azimuth slope effects are proposed. In the first approach, the DEM, obtained from interferometric SAR or other means is used to estimate the orientation angle, and in the second approach, the orientation angle is derived from Cloude's and Huynen's decompositions, and the peak-shift in polarization signature. Comparison on the accuracy of estimating the orientation angle with that derived from the DEM is given. NASA/JPL AIRSAR data is used for illustration.