Review article Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) frequency and polarization requirements for applications in ecology, geology, hydrology, and oceanography: A tabular status quo after SIR-C/X-SAR

Abstract

The Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C, X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) was the first multi-frequency and multi-polarization SAR system to be launched into space. SIR-C/X-SAR imaged over 300 sites around the Earth returning 143 terabits of data. There has been a tremendous advancement of knowledge in the field of radar remote sensing accomplished in the last two years, as well as verification of earlier findings since the two successful SIR-C/X-SAR missions. This review article presents the current status of optimal SAR parameters for various key issues within the disciplines of ecology, geology, hydrology, and oceanography. A polarimetric X- and L-band radar is suggested as a result of our review for future SAR sensors. The design of a single frequency, albeit polarimetric, SAR satellite, limits applications, as can be deduced from the tables.