CIRFA seminar (28 September): Wolfgang Dierking – Multi-frequency multi-polarization SAR

Wolfgang Dierking, UiT The Arctic University of Norway will talk about Multi-frequency multi-polarization SAR – how to relate radar signature variations to specific tasks of information retrieval?

With multi-frequency polarimetric SAR images we get the possibility to calculate a large variety of radar signature parameters to be used for interpretation of sea ice conditions in ice charting and for the retrieval of sea ice properties related to questions of ocean – ice – atmosphere interactions. However, in practical terms several fixed factors determine the actual possibilities for information retrieval from satellite SAR data, such as spatial resolution of the images, temporal gaps and spatial overlaps between acquisitions at different frequencies, and availability of complementary data to support or validate the image analysis. For basic investigations and developing optimal strategies for information retrieval, simultaneous polarimetric measurements at different frequencies from airplanes are most useful. In this presentation, preliminary results of airborne polarimetric data acquisitions at L-, C-, and X-band, carried out in April 2019 by DLR’s F-SAR over first-year sea ice in Davis Strait, supplemented by hand-held aerial photos, will be introduced. The focus is on the use of radar intensities at VV, HH, and X-polarization and polarimetric phase difference and correlation HH-VV. Questions are how the radar signature variations relate to ice type separation and retrieval of thin ice properties.

The seminar will be at CIRFA on Thursday 28 September at 14:00. Join us in person or online (MS Teams)!