Polarimetric SAR Imaging Theory and Applications

Radar polarimetry has been highly sought after for its use in the precise monitoring of Earth's surface. Polarimetric SAR Imaging explains the basic concepts of polarimetry and its diverse applications including: deforestation, tree classification, landslide detection, tsunamis, volcano eruptions and ash distribution, snow accumulation, rice field monitoring, urban area exploration, ship detection, among other applications. The explanations use actual data sets taken by Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS and ALOS2). With the increasing problems presented by climate change, there is a growing need for detailed earth observation using polarimetric data. As the treatment of vector nature of radar waves is complex, there is a gap between the theory and the application. Polarimetric SAR Imaging: Theory and Applications addresses and fills this gap. Features: Provides cutting-edge polarimetric applications for earth observation with full color images. Includes detailed descriptions of theory, equations, expansions, and flowcharts, and numerous real examples. Explains concepts, data analysis, and applications in simple and clear language aimed at an intuitive comprehension. Provides specific and unique examples of PolSAR images derived from actual space and airborne systems (ALOS/ALOS2, PiSAR-x/L) Covers the wide range of the radar polarimetry, especially the decomposition of the polarimetry data, an original method developed by the author using the Japanese polarimetric SAR data Illustrated in full color using images generated by polarimetric techniques, this book is easy to understand and use for both student and expert, and is an excellent resource both in the classroom and in the field.

Introduction. Wave Polarimetry. Scattering Polarimetry. Polarization Matrices. H/A/ Polarimetric Decomposition. Compound Scattering Matrix. Scattering Mechanisms and Modeling. Scattering Power Decomposition. Correlation and Similarity. Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar. Material Constant. Interpretation of PolSAR Images. Surface Scattering. Double Bounce Scattering. Volume Scattering.

Yoshio Yamaguchi received BE degree in electronics engineering from Niigata University, Niigata, Japan, in 1976 and ME and Dr. Eng. degrees from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan, in 1978 and 1983, respectively. He is a Professor Emeritus and Fellow of Niigata University after his retirement in 2019. He is also an invited researcher at National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan. He had been with Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University during 1978-2019 as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor, where he had engaged in the research of electromagnetic wave propagation in tunnels, in lossy media, FMCW radar for short range sensing. From 1988 to 1989, he was a Research Associate at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he learned basic polarimetry under the guidance of Prof. Wolfgang M. Boerner. His interests moved toward the fields of radar polarimetry, microwave scattering, scattering power decomposition and imaging. He has published more than 110 journal papers, 3 books, 4 book chapters, and more than 300 conference proceedings. Dr. Yamaguchi has served as Chair of IEEE Geoscience & Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) Japan Chapter (2002–03), Chair of International Union of Radio Science Commission F Japan Committee (URSI-F) Japan (2006–2011), Associate Editor for Asian affairs of GRSS Newsletter (2003–07), and Technical Program Committee (TPC) Co-Chair of the 2011 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS). He is a Life Fellow of IEEE and a Fellow of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers (IEICE), Japan, and a recipient of 2008 IEEE GRSS Education Award “in recognition of significant educational contributions to Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society” and 2017 IEEE GRSS Distinguished Achievement Award “for contributions to Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar Sensing & Imaging and its Utilization”.