In order to ensure sub-pixel accuracy of geocoded SAR products, precise estimation and correction of the Atmospheric Path Delay (APD) is needed, in particular for the new generation of high resolution satellite SAR sensors (TerraSAR-X, COSMO-SkyMed). The goal of the present study is to assess the performances of operational Numerical Weather Models (NWM) as tools for APD mitigation. The Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) has been selected for this purpose. In order to guarantee an accurate knowledge of both the satellite orbit and the target position, TerraSAR-X data and corner reflectors have been used for the experiment. Differential GPS measurements confirm that NWM are able to estimate APD with an accuracy of few decimeters. Therefore, NWM can be also exploited as tools for providing preliminary indications on the amount of orbital or timing errors. The analysis has been hence extended to COSMO-SkyMed data
On the use of Numerical Weather Models for improving SAR geolocation accuracy / Nitti, Davide Oscar; Bovenga, Fabio; Nutricato, Raffaele; Refice, Alberto; Bruno, Maria Francesca; Petrillo, Antonio Felice; Chiaradia, Maria Teresa. - ELETTRONICO. - (2014), pp. 414-417. (Intervento presentato al convegno 10th European Conference on Synthetic Aperture Radar, EuSAR 2014 tenutosi a Berlin, Germany nel June 3-5, 2014).
On the use of Numerical Weather Models for improving SAR geolocation accuracy
Nitti Davide Oscar;Bovenga Fabio;Nutricato Raffaele;Bruno Maria Francesca;Petrillo Antonio Felice;Chiaradia Maria Teresa
2014-01-01
Abstract
In order to ensure sub-pixel accuracy of geocoded SAR products, precise estimation and correction of the Atmospheric Path Delay (APD) is needed, in particular for the new generation of high resolution satellite SAR sensors (TerraSAR-X, COSMO-SkyMed). The goal of the present study is to assess the performances of operational Numerical Weather Models (NWM) as tools for APD mitigation. The Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) has been selected for this purpose. In order to guarantee an accurate knowledge of both the satellite orbit and the target position, TerraSAR-X data and corner reflectors have been used for the experiment. Differential GPS measurements confirm that NWM are able to estimate APD with an accuracy of few decimeters. Therefore, NWM can be also exploited as tools for providing preliminary indications on the amount of orbital or timing errors. The analysis has been hence extended to COSMO-SkyMed dataI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
