[en] The present paper provides an overview of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) remote sensing concepts. SAR remote sensing is a coherent active imaging technique, where the spaceborne sensor emits an electromagnetic wave and captures its backscattered signal. Each pixel contains amplitude information, witness of the ground properties to reflect the signal back to the sensor, and a phase component, which is related to the distance from the sensor to the ground target. Firstly, we will focus on SAR and SAR interferometry concepts. The acquisition geometry, the different wavelengths, the issue of spatial resolution, the polarization; SAR has a number of differences compared to optical remote sensing. In addition, the coherent imaging technique allows the exploitation of the phase information, with applications such as DEM generation or surface displacements retrieval. In a second part, we will discuss the current and future SAR constellations as well as recent advances in applications coming from the deep learning field. The domain of SAR remote sensing is a rapidly evolving field, where more and more satellites are being set up and where the private sector is investing massively. Service-oriented market using small X-Band SAR satellites is getting more and more present. In parallel, public institutions already have several important SAR satellites and are currently preparing the next generation, with improved technical specifications.
Research Center/Unit :
CSL - Centre Spatial de Liège - ULiège
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Glaude, Quentin ; Université de Liège - ULiège > CSL (Centre Spatial de Liège)
Orban, Anne ; Université de Liège - ULiège > CSL (Centre Spatial de Liège)
Language :
English
Title :
THE DARK SIDE OF REMOTE SENSING: CURRENT SAR REMOTE SENSING MISSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
Publication date :
2022
Journal title :
Bulletin de la Société Géographique de Liège
ISSN :
0770-7576
eISSN :
2507-0711
Publisher :
Société Geographique de Liege, Belgium
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Commentary :
Ce papier présente un aperçu des concepts liés au radar à synthèse d’ouverture (SAR en anglais). La télédétection SAR est une technique d’imagerie cohérente où le senseur émet un rayonnement électromagnétique, et enregistre le signal rétrodiffusé. Chaque pixel de l’image contient une information sur la capacité de la cible au sol à rétrodiffuser le signal, et une information sur la distance satellite – cible au sol. Dans un premier temps, nous passerons en revue les concepts du SAR et de l’interférométrie SAR. Nous verrons qu’il existe un grand nombre de différences par rapport à la télédétection optique : la géométrie d’acquisition, les longueurs d’ondes employées, les soucis de la résolution spatiale, la polarisation, etc. De plus, nous nous intéresserons aux applications employant l’information de phase, comme l’extraction de modèles numériques de terrain (MNT) ou de cartes de déplacements. Dans un second temps, nous discuterons des missions SAR actuelles et futures, ainsi qu’un nombre d’applications provenant du monde de l’apprentissage en profondeur. Le domaine du SAR évolue rapidement, et de plus en plus de satellites sont en développement. Le secteur privé investit massivement, s’attaquant à un marché orienté services. En parallèle, les grandes institutions publiques disposent déjà de satellites SAR importants, et précisent les spécifications techniques des nouvelles générations.
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