Full maximum likelihood inversion of polinsar scattering models

Abstract

We expand upon the maximum likelihood inversion approach presented in Flynn, Tabb, and Carande ["Direct estimation of vegetation parameters from covariance data in polarimetric SAR interferometry", IGARSS 2002], and show how to optimally combine the polarimetric channels to form a bare earth estimate for the case of single layer ground scattering. In addition, for the two layer randomly oriented volume over ground (RV+G) scattering model, we show how to optimally recover the canopy structural parameters (bare earth and tree height) as well as the ground and volume backscatter polarimetric covariance matrices. This approach outperforms other techniques in terms of both estimation accuracy and computational complexity