Snowpack characterization using SAR tomography - experimental results of the AlpSAR campaign

Badreddine Rekioua (1) , Matthieu Davy (1) , Laurent Ferro-Famil (1)

1 IETR - Institut d'Électronique et des Technologies du numéRique

In this paper, we present experimental results of 3D characterization of snowpack layers using Ground Based SAR (GB-SAR) data. The data have been acquired using a GB-SAR system operating at X and Ku frequency bands. We process the acquired data using the Back Projection Algorithm (BPA). The results of this processing show strong backscattering contributions from interfaces between different layers of the snowpack. We notice also geometrical distortions due to the assumption of free space propagation medium during the processing. We introduce in this paper a correction process in order to recover the true thickness of snow layers and the corresponding refractive indexes. The obtained results are discussed according to the in situ measurement relating grain size, density and snow particle shapes description at different depths of the snowpack.

Mots clés: refrigeration; remote sensing by radar; synthetic aperture radar; 3D snowpack layer characterization; AlpSAR campaign; GB-SAR data; GB-SAR system; SAR tomography; back projection algorithm; backscattering contribution; free space propagation; geometrical distortion; grain density; grain size; ground-based SAR; in situ measurement; snow layer thickness; snow particle shape; snowpack characterization; Antennas; Electronic mail; Ice; Lenses; Refractive index; Snow; Tomography

Domaines: Traitement du signal et de l'image [eess.SP]; Traitement du signal et de l'image [eess.SP]

Badreddine Rekioua, Matthieu Davy, Laurent Ferro-Famil. Snowpack characterization using SAR tomography - experimental results of the AlpSAR campaign. Radar Conference (EuRAD), 2015 European, 2015, Paris, France. pp.33-36, ⟨10.1109/EuRAD.2015.7346230⟩. ⟨hal-01279741⟩