Target Characteristics on Rotation in Euclidean Space Using Full Polarimetric SAR Data

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new rotation-invariant parameter for targets in full polarimetric SAR data, enabling better characterization of targets regardless of their orientation, with validation on real radar data.

Contribution

It proposes a novel rotation-related target parameter in Euclidean space that remains consistent under unitary transformations, improving target analysis in polarimetric SAR.

Findings

Parameter shows consistent values for similar targets

Demonstrated on canonical targets

Applied to real SAR data from Radarsat-2 and ALOS PALSAR

Abstract

In radar polarimetry, the target characteristics significantly depend on the rotation of the target concerning the radar line of sight. Hence, several attempts have been made in the literature to compensate for the rotational dependency or to derive a complete roll-invariant parameter using full polarimetric SAR data. However, the degree of dependency of the targets on the rotation domain has yet to be well explored. Hence, in this study, we have proposed a new parameter that characterizes the targets concerning rotation in Euclidean space. The parameter shows similar values for the targets, which can be related to each other through a unitary transformation. The advantage of this parameter has been demonstrated over different canonical targets. Further, the characteristics of the natural targets have been shown using the Single Look Complex data of C band Radarsat-2 and ALOS PALSAR over the San Francisco Bay area and Cuba, respectively.