Ocean environment sensing using polarimetric and interferometric SAR

New methods have been investigated which use fully polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (POLSAR) image data to measure ocean wave slopes. Independent techniques have been developed to measure wave slope spectra in both the radar azimuth and range directions. Wave spectra measured using the new methods are compared with spectra developed using conventional SAR intensity-based methods, and with spectra from in situ buoys. Wave-current interactions may also be measured using the same measurement techniques. NASA/JPL/AIRSAR L-band image data from California coastal waters and from the New York Bight are used in the studies. NRL has also recently lead two collaborative field experiments that feature Along-Track Interferometric SAR (AT-INSAR) systems. In April, 2003, NRL, NASA JPL and UCLA collaborated in a study of sub-mesoscale coastal eddies that featured the NASA/JPL/AIRSAR. NRL has also recently collaborated with the University of Massachusetts in a deployment of their Dual Beam Interferometer on the west coast of Florida. This paper presents preliminary data from both of these experiments.