Near real-time geocoding of SAR imagery with orbit error removal

Abstract

When utilizing knowledge of the spacecraft trajectory for near real-time geocoding of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images, the main problem is that predicted satellite orbits have to be used, which may be in error by several kilometres. As part of the development of a Dutch autonomous mobile ground station to receive and process satellite SAR data, a method has been developed that removes the effects of orbit errors from the computed azimuth and slant-range coordinates, whilst maintaining the real-time character. Results show that predicted orbits can be used to geocode SAR imagery in near real time with the same accuracy as when using precise orbits, i.e. 30–40m.