Investigation on Tree Height Retrieval with Polarimetric SAR Interferometry

Polarimetric SAR interferometry (POLInSAR) has been widely applied in tree height retrieval. A refined algorithm of three-stage inversion process for polarimetric SAR interferometry is proposed in this paper. The refined algorithm focuses on resolving the ambiguity estimation of the volume coherence. The coherence region extraction algorithm is combined with the three stage inversion algorithm to obtain accurate estimate of volume decorrelation. According to the physical explanation of the scattering model of the forest area, we can conclude that the proposed algorithm can get more accurate inversion results. The proposed algorithm is applied to simulated coherent L-Band SAR data provided by ESA, and the validity of the modified algorithm is confirmed.