Method for Computer-Aided Processing of SAR Raw Data

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This invention presents a computer-assisted method for processing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) raw data from a radar device flying over the Earth's surface. By analyzing SAR data gathered during a single overflight and isolating two distinct Doppler frequency bands, the method generates two separate SAR images. The azimuth shift detected between corresponding areas in these images is used to directly determine the absolute snow depth in the observed region without the need for multiple passes or conventional interferometric techniques.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Satellite or airborne monitoring of snow depth on the Earth's surface for climate studies
• Large-area estimation of the water equivalent stored in snow (SWE) for water resource management
• Real-time mapping of snow coverage for disaster risk reduction, such as avalanche forecasting
• Improving snow data inputs for climate models and weather prediction
• Monitoring seasonal and interannual changes in snowpack for environmental research

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables accurate measurement of absolute snow depth and snow water equivalent from a single SAR pass, avoiding the need for repeat flights
• Provides higher spatial resolution of snow measurements (≤ 100 meters) compared to passive microwave remote sensing methods
• Reduces errors from temporal decorrelation and phase ambiguity present in conventional interferometric SAR applications
• Allows large-area and remote monitoring of snowpacks where on-site sensors are unsuitable or cost-prohibitive
• Can be integrated with existing and future SAR satellite missions, improving the value of collected data for climate and hydrological applications

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the computer-assisted processing of SAR raw data (RD) from a radar device (100) which flies over the earth's surface (GR) in an azimuth direction (x), wherein the SAR raw data (RD) represent radar echos of radar pulses (RP) during a one-time flight over an area of the earth's surface (GR), wherein the radar pulses (RP) are or have been emitted by the radar device (100) and the radar echos are or have been received by the radar device (100) as radar pulses reflected by the earth's surface (GR), wherein a) a first frequency range (FB1) of the Doppler spectrum (DS) having a first Doppler center frequency (ƒDC1) and a second frequency range (FB2) of the Doppler spectrum (DS) having a second Doppler center frequency (ƒDC2) are extracted from the SAR raw data (RD); b) a first SAR image (IM1) is ascertained from the first frequency range (FB1) and a second SAR image (IM2) is ascertained from the second frequency range (FB2); c) for a relevant image area (IA) of a number of image areas (IA) in the first SAR image (IM1), a shift value (∆χ) is determined which indicates by what magnitude the image content in the relevant image area (IA) from the first SAR image (IM1) is shifted in the azimuth direction (x) in relation to the same image content in a corresponding image area (IA) from the second SAR image (IM2), with the relevant image area (IA) and the corresponding image area (IA) representing the same surface area in relation to the azimuth direction (x) and the range direction (R); and d) a depth of snow (Zs) in the relevant image area (IA) is determined from the shift value (∆χ).