ICA-based information extraction method for PolSAR images

Identifying and characterizing objects in PolSAR images rely on proper backscattered signal models, correct segmentation algorithms and on exploiting the connections between the physical structure of the considered objects and their radar echos. The paper presents an ICA-based approach for characterizing physical properties of the objects on the Earth surface. Segmentation of PolSAR image is based on stochastic models. Each segment is assimilated to an object or surface type and pixels of the segment are treated like realizations of the underlying target scattering mechanism. This scattering mechanism is characterized through ICA-based approach, thus providing information about the corresponding target. The TSVM decomposition is used to analyze the mixing matrix issued from ICA and to link its values to physical properties of the target.