Chapter 14
Digital Processing of SAR Data and Image
Analysis Techniques
Saied Pirasteh, Hojjat O. Safari, and Somayeh Mollaee
Abstract Digital SAR processing is referred to the correlation process and
computer vision approaches to utilize the outcome of the image to identify an
object from the image. Thereby, the SAR signal from the image can be examined to
extract the optimum Doppler returns. These are necessary for the successful
reconstruction of the return signals into an acceptable image format. In addition
to SAR signal processing of data, a number of computations may carry out from a
digital SAR processor. Digital SAR processors allow the user to specify additional
processing options which may include slant-range to ground-range conversion,
range dependent gain correction, the number of independent looks in the azimuth
dimension, or pixel spacing. These can also apply for the post-image generation
phase. The general theory behind these methods is presented in this chapter. Then it
follows the introduction and various digital radar image techniques that may use by
an image analyst utilizing a digital image analysis system and suitable computer
software packages.
14.1 Introduction
The applications of RADAR technology products particularly derived from space
earth observation satellite and remote sensing integrated with GIS technology to
various areas of earth sciences, geology, natural resources, agriculture, forest, oil
spills pollution, geohazards, mapping, management, planning, early warning system and development has been highly rewarding. The use of RADAR remote
sensing has opened the door for immense opportunities in large-scale investigation,
S. Pirasteh (*) • S. Mollaee
Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo,
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
e-mail: s2pirast@uwaterloo.ca
H.O. Safari
Department of Geology, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015
J. Li, X. Yang (eds.), Monitoring and Modeling of Global Changes:
A Geomatics Perspective, Springer Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-9813-6_14
281
Digital Processing of SAR Data and Image
Analysis Techniques
Saied Pirasteh, Hojjat O. Safari, and Somayeh Mollaee
Abstract Digital SAR processing is referred to the correlation process and
computer vision approaches to utilize the outcome of the image to identify an
object from the image. Thereby, the SAR signal from the image can be examined to
extract the optimum Doppler returns. These are necessary for the successful
reconstruction of the return signals into an acceptable image format. In addition
to SAR signal processing of data, a number of computations may carry out from a
digital SAR processor. Digital SAR processors allow the user to specify additional
processing options which may include slant-range to ground-range conversion,
range dependent gain correction, the number of independent looks in the azimuth
dimension, or pixel spacing. These can also apply for the post-image generation
phase. The general theory behind these methods is presented in this chapter. Then it
follows the introduction and various digital radar image techniques that may use by
an image analyst utilizing a digital image analysis system and suitable computer
software packages.
14.1 Introduction
The applications of RADAR technology products particularly derived from space
earth observation satellite and remote sensing integrated with GIS technology to
various areas of earth sciences, geology, natural resources, agriculture, forest, oil
spills pollution, geohazards, mapping, management, planning, early warning system and development has been highly rewarding. The use of RADAR remote
sensing has opened the door for immense opportunities in large-scale investigation,
S. Pirasteh (*) • S. Mollaee
Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo,
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
e-mail: s2pirast@uwaterloo.ca
H.O. Safari
Department of Geology, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015
J. Li, X. Yang (eds.), Monitoring and Modeling of Global Changes:
A Geomatics Perspective, Springer Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-9813-6_14
281