High Precision SAR Focusing of TerraSAR-X Experimental Staring Spotlight Data

This paper addresses several innovative steps needed in the chirp scaling and extended chirp scaling (ECS) algorithms in order to process staring Spotlight TerraSAR-X (TSX) images with 21 cm azimuth resolution and 300 MHz range bandwidth. The aspects that need of special consideration are the 2D phase truncation in frequency domain of ECS, the element pattern of the antenna array, the curved orbit, the stop-and-go approximation, and the troposphere. All these aspects are expounded in detail and a solution is given for each of them. The suggested corrections are applied at raw data level, hence easing the integration within the existing TSX processor. Real data acquired by TSX in the experimental staring Spotlight mode are used to validate the proposed methodology

Oil spill and ship detection using high resolution polarimetric X-band SAR data

Among illegal human activities, marine pollution and target detection are the key concern of Maritime Security and Safety. This thesis deals with oil spill and ship detection using high resolution X-band polarimetric SAR (PolSAR). Polarimetry aims at analysing the polarization state of a wave field, in order to obtain physical information from the observed object. In this dissertation PolSAR techniques are suggested as improvement of the current State-of-the-Art of SAR marine pollution and target detection, by examining in depth Near Real Time suitability