Approach to velocity and acceleration measurement in the Bi-Directional SAR imaging mode

Abstract

This paper presents an initial analysis of the possibilities for velocity and acceleration m easurement with the Bi- Directional SAR imaging mode (BiDi). It comprises single satellite single path acquisitions as well as a constellation of two satellites. The translati onal velocity components into azimuth and range directions are simulated. A BiDi ap- proach for measuring the azimuth velocity from one satellite with one receiving channel is proposed. Image examples acquired with the TerraSAR-X (TSX) and TanDEM-X (TDX) satellites show velocity and acceleration effects on ships and the proposed BiDi ve locity approach is verified. Interferometric fringes were observed on anchoring ships. A first approach into the understanding of rotational effects was achieved by simulation of rotational fringes.