Advanced stacking of TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X data in complex urban areas

Abstract

This paper presents the fusion of monostatic repeat-pass and bistatic single-pass SAR data for an improved 3D positioning and deformation monitoring of objects in urban areas. Addition of a few TanDEM-X data pairs (which are free from displacement, atmosphere and temporal decorrelation) to the existing TerraSAR-X data stack can improve the results of stacking techniques such as Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI). However, in dense urban areas, geometrical limitations such as layover make it difficult for an accurate mapping using the standard TanDEM-X elevation models. In this paper, we investigate the potential of jointly processing TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X data for resolving single or double scattering mechanisms present in the same resolution cell. The technical details and demonstration are provided using high resolution spotlight mixed TerraSAR-X /TanDEM-X data of Las Vegas, US.