Abstract
The GaoFen-3 (GF-3) satellite is the first C-band multi-polarization synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite with a resolution up to 1 m in China. It is also the only SAR satellite of the High-Resolution Earth Observation System designed for civilian use. There are 12 different imaging models to meet the needs of different industry users. However, to use SAR satellite images for related applications, they must possess high geometric accuracy. In order to verify the geometric accuracy achieved by the different modes of GF-3 images, we analyze the SAR geometric error source and perform geometric correction tests based on the RPC model with and without ground control points (GCPs) for five imaging modes. These include the spotlight (SL), ultra-fine strip (UFS), Fine Strip I (FSI), Full polarized Strip I (QPSI), and standard strip (SS) modes. Experimental results show that the check point residuals are large and consistent without GCPs, but the root mean square error of the independent checkpoints for the case of four corner control points is better than 1.5 pixels, achieving a similar level of geometric positioning accuracy to that of international satellites. We conclude that the GF-3 satellite can be used for high-accuracy geometric processing and related industry applications.
Highlights
The GF-3 satellite is the only civilian microwave, remote-sensing, imaging satellite in the National High-Resolution Earth Observation System Major Project in China, and the first C-band and multi-polarization synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite [1]
We validated the geometric accuracy of slant range imagery from the GF-3 satellite after an on-orbit test period
We analyzed the error source of the GF-3 satellite image target, and used the general sensor model based on the RPC model to perform single image orientation and ortho-rectification for five modes of GF-3 1A level data
Summary
The GF-3 satellite is the only civilian microwave, remote-sensing, imaging satellite in the National High-Resolution Earth Observation System Major Project in China, and the first C-band and multi-polarization synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite [1]. The GF-3 satellite has 12 imaging modes, the most for any SAR satellite in the world [2] It covers the traditional strip imaging mode and the scanning imaging mode, and the Spotlight, strip, scan, wave, global observation, high and low incidence angle, and other imaging modes to achieve free switching spatial resolution ranges from 1 m to 500 m, and width ranges from 10 km to 650 km [3]. The GF-3 satellite, similar to the RADARSAT-2 satellite and TerraSAR-X satellite, can work in multiple modes and switch between 12 specific work modes (spotlight, strip, scanning, global observation, wave patterns, extended incidence angle mode, etc.) according to the bandwidth and spatial resolution requirements. The results of this study ensure that SAR images can be provided with high-precision positioning accuracy, thereby building a foundation for GF-3 satellite image applications in industry
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