Polarimetric Calibration Error and System Key Parameters Analysis Based on Point Targets

Abstract:
The polarimetric SAR calibration is the necessary stage before the application of polarimetric SAR data. These applications are affected by polrimetric information looses and system imperfection which are always exist even after polarimetric SAR calibration. In this paper, the polarimetic error model is given and Whitt’s polarimetric SAR calibration algorithm is analyzed. Then the effect of amplitude and phase imbalance of polar channels, crosstalk of antenna, noise and radar calibrators error on polarimetric SAR are analyzed with copolarized and crosspolarized signature maps and optimal interferometric coherence. Finally some valuable conclusions are achieved for polarimetric SAR system design and polarimetric calibration.