Atmospheric phase correction using permanent scatterers in ground-based radar interferometry

Abstract

Ground-based synthetic aperture radar (GBSAR) is a powerful tool used in monitoring structures such as bridges and dams. However, despite the extremely short range of GBSAR interferometry, the atmospheric effects cannot be neglected. The permanent scatterer (PS) technique is an effective operational tool that utilizes a long series of SAR data and detects information with high accuracy. An algorithm based on the PS technique is developed in accordance with the phase model used in GBSAR interferometry. Atmospheric correction is carried out on a real campaign (Geheyan Dam, China). The atmospheric effects created using this method, which utilizes SAR data, can be effectively reduced compared to when plumb line data are used.