Topography estimation using SAR image polarimetry

Polarization orientation angle (POA) correction to compensate for terrain effects on polarimetric SAR data has been investigated in the literature. POA rotation can be derived from digital elevation model (DEM) and/or from polarimetric SAR (PolSAR) data through covariance/coherency analysis. A robust analytic model connecting PolSAR data and products (e.g., POA) to target/scene terrain characteristics can serve two main objectives. First is to correct and calibrate PolSAR data acquired from different SARs when DEM is available. Second is to model terrain through inverse solution of POAs derived from PolSAR data analysis. This formalism has been developed and is presented here. Effectiveness of the technique in providing both forward (POAs from DEM) and inverse (DEM from POAs) solutions is explored through imagery product examples and simulations.