Compact Polarimetry Reconstruction Algorithm for a Geophysical Media with Volumetric Scattering using L-band Quad-POL Data

Abstract

One of the objectives of the Brazilian Space Program (PEB) is to launch a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite in the next years. To provide subsidies for the future feasibility studies, this Thesisproposes a Compact Polarimetry (CP) reconstruction algorithm fora geophysical media with volumetric scattering. This study considers the L-band, volume scattering mechanisms, and a geophysical medium with azimuthal symmetry properties. The main contribution of this work is the introduction of an algorithm for CP, considering the azimuthal symmetry. This approach is an important issue for SAR satellite systems that will operate in Brazilian low latitudes, especially in regions with volume scattering mechanisms such as the Amazon rainforest, and in the areas of the country covered by ionospheric irregularities, as plasma bubbles and Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs). The process of pseudo reconstruction of SAR images obtained from this new CP algorithm presents better results than the CP methods discussed in the literature for the considered scenario. Pearson's correlation coefficient, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and scatter plots are used to analyze the pseudo reconstruction process regarding the original Quad-POL images.