Generation of digital terrain models with a ground-based SAR system

Abstract

A novel technique for the retrieval of a digital terrain model (DTM) with a ground-based synthetic aperture radar (GB-SAR) system is described. A set of SAR images collected over a test site located at Salice d'Ulzio, Italy, is used to validate experimentally the proposed DTM retrieval technique. The topographic height is obtained using an algorithm specifically tailored for a GB-SAR system equipped with two receive antennas. The comparison with an existing DTM of the test site area shows that the retrieved DTM is accurate, with root mean square height differences between the two DTMs below 5 m.