Patch-Like Reduction (PLR): A SAR Offset Tracking amplitude filter for deformation monitoring

As complementary to Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Differential Interferometry (DInSAR), SAR Offset Tracking (OT) is an efficient tool for large ground deformation monitoring in situations when DInSAR cannot work. However, images are affected by speckle noise and some strong point-like scatters which can cause what known as Patch Like (PL), a kind of errors that be seen homogeneous patches almost constant the results. These clearly visible results non-consistent deformations along time, but they difficult detect with traditional metrics evaluate cross-correlation results, like Signal Noise Ratio (SNR). This paper addresses this problem proposes simple amplitude filter reduce PL named Reduction (PLR). The main idea find sensor scene independent threshold remove high pixels prone PL. Five different data sets in-field GPS measurements used determine optimal performance proposed method. show effects reduced filter. processing parameters improved OT chain optimized well preserve resolution much possible.