Initial vector velocity estimates from the UMass Dual Beam Interferometer

The Dual Beam Interferometer consists of two interferometric SARs, one squinted at 20 degrees forward of broadside, and the other 20 degrees aft, to allow estimation of vector surface velocity with only a single aircraft pass. It was developed by the University of Massachusetts and is operated in collaboration with the Naval Research Laboratory. The paper presents initial estimates of surface velocity vectors in the coastal region during high tidal flow. The data were gathered over the barrier islands west of Ft. Myers, Florida, as part of March 2004 deployment. While no attempt has been made at this stage to correct for Doppler contributions from surface waves, the retrieved velocity field clearly follows the expected outflow pattern, and velocity magnitudes agree well with in-situ data.