Polarization orientation angle shifts in urban areas on POLSAR data

Abstract:
Polarization orientation angle shift can be induced by not only terrain slopes but also scatterers in urban areas. A vertical wall of a building or house can cause the polarization orientation angle shift. Three algorithms to estimate the polarization orientation angle shift of build-up areas are compared for L-band and X-band data and two different areas. The soundness of the circular co-polarization algorithm can be explained by that this algorithm employs only an assumption of reflection symmetry. However, not only it additional assumptions are needed for other two algorithms to apply.