On the Usage of Polarimetric SAR Across-Track Interferometry for Vessel Classification

Abstract:
The possible usage of single-pass Polarimetric SAR interferometry for vessel classification is analyzed in this paper. The work is based on recent scattering studies that have shown the most important scattering centers of ships would behave as trihedrals and dihedrals. This means their phase contributions in SAR images could be isolated by the Pauli theorem and then height retrieving via across-track interferometry becomes possible. The result would be accurate tri-dimensional representations of ships’ geometry that could base a trustworthy classification. This strategy is evaluated in this paper by using simulated POLInSAR images derived from GRECOSAR, the UPC’s SAR simulator of complex targets. The obtained results will show the great potentialities of this approach for basing a reliable algorithm.