Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Image Processing Technique for Large Scale Terrestrial Applications

Researchers at the Alaska SAR Facility (ASF) have developed a hybrid package of YMP and T3D based SAR processing algorithms using the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center (ARSC). The capabilities include; radiometric calibration, low-pass filtering, creation of simulated SAR images, image-to-image correlation, terrain correction, incidence angle normalization, and large scale mosaicking. Using these tools, a SAR mosaic was constructed mapping the entire state of Alaska. A 3-D video fly-by of the mosaic was made to showcase the result. This paper discusses additions to the parallel terrain correction package, SAR processing techniques, and the realities of creating the largest SAR mosaic created to date.