A Novel Method for Polarization Orientation Angle Estimation Over Steep Terrain and Comparison of Deorientation Algorithms

This article proposes a novel polarization orientation angle (POA) estimation algorithm for steep terrain by applying physical scattering characteristics of natural surface. The extends the range POA from [-45°, 45°] to (-90°,90°] and achieves consistent with widely used circular (CPA) minimum cross-polarization (MXPA) over flat area, but avoids wrapping caused restriction CPA MXPA precipitous area. Besides, detailed comparison among these deorientation algorithms is presented clarifying their relations analyzing unwrapping issue POA. Both simulated data Bragg model PolSAR L-band ALOS PALSAR P-band NASA/JPL AIRSAR are substantiate proposals.