Compact Polarimetry at longer wavelengths – calibration

Inhalt:
At longer wavelengths, which are subject to Faraday rotation as they pass through the ionosphere, it can be argued that a circular polarization transmit, linear (H, V) receive implementation of a SAR employing compact polarimetry is the optimum dual-polarized configuration. In this paper, we develop a system model for this implementation of compact polarimetry, and address calibration of such a system. We describe a viable internal/external calibration approach and suggest how the calibration may be verified. Impacts of residual calibration errors on some key applications, such as soil moisture estimation and forest height retrievals, are also considered.