A discussion on the use of X-band SAR images in marine applications

Abstract. The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is able to generate images of the sea surface that can be exploited to extract geophysical information of environmental interest. In order to enhance the operational use of these data in the marine applications the revisit time is to be improved. This goal can be achieved by using SAR virtual or real constellations and/or exploiting new antenna technologies that allow huge swath and fine resolution. Within this framework, the presence of the Italian and German X-band SAR constellations is of special interest while the new SAR technologies are not nowadays operated.

Although SAR images are considered to be independent of weather conditions, this is only partially true at higher frequencies, e.g. X-band. In fact, observations can present signature corresponding to high intensity precipitating clouds, i.e. rain cells. Further, ScanSAR images may be characterized by the presence of processing artifacts, called scalloping, that corrupt image interpretation.

In this paper we review these key facts that are at the basis of an effective use of X-band SAR images for marine applications.