Change Detection Using Interferometric and Polarimetric Signatures in Argentina

The two-satellite SAOCOM-1A/B SAR constellation to be deployed by Argentina shall provide full-polarimetric acquisitions at L-band, the main mission driver being the generation of soil moisture maps in the agriculture and hydrological contexts. The two satellites shall be incorporated, together with the Italian COSMO-Skymed satellites, in an X-L band constellation (referred to as SIASGE system) for risk management. Following an offer from CONAE, ESA has initiated the development of a passive receiving micro-satellite, SAOCOM-CS, for carrying out tomographic, interferometric, and bistatic imaging. SAOCOM-CS will fly in formation with SAOCOM-1B providing unique new single-pass measurements at L-band. The present paper reports the first results from an on-going study that comes in support to both the SAOCOM and SAOCOM-CS missions. The objective of this project is to accomplish a breakthrough in the development of algorithms and associated tools for change detection in Argentina, the core domain of focus being agriculture. The processing developments carried out in this project include a study of the polarimetric signature for different targets, and a multitemporal, spatial and angular analysis of the polarimetric parameters for different L band targets. The results are then applied in non-supervised algorithms for classification of SAR images and the development of simulated SAR images. Tests data sets include airborne and spaceborne SAR images and corresponding field measurements.