Geocoding SAR interferograms by least squares adjustment

A geocoding model for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry based on a least-squares adjustment combining interferometric phase, range, Doppler centroid frequency, flight path and control point data is proposed. The complete mathematical framework for the computation of object space coordinates without approximations is presented. It provides a way to an efficient implementation of the algorithm for geocoding the pixels of an interferogram. The method is preferably applicable to spaceborne dual-pass interferometry, and independent of the orbit configuration. An accuracy analysis of object point positioning is conducted and results of geocoding an ERS tandem interferogram are shown. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.