TD-PD-PL 0032TanDEM-X Science Phase

Microwaves and Radar Institute Doc.
: TD-PD-PL-0032
TanDEM-X Ground Segment Issue: 1.0
Announcement of Opportunity: TanDEM-X Science Phase Date: 19.05.2014
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DOCUMENT PREPARATION
The document on hand was prepared with contributions from the personnel listed below:
Name (name, surname) Organizational Unit
Microwaves and Radar Institute (DLR-HR)

Hajnsek, Irena IHR, Radar Concepts Department
Busche, Thomas IHR, Radar Concepts Department
Krieger, Gerhard IHR, Radar Concepts Department
Zink, Manfred IHR, Satellite SAR Systems Department
Schulze, Daniel IHR, Satellite SAR Systems Department
Moreira, Alberto IHR
Microwaves and Radar Institute Doc.: TD-PD-PL-0032
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DOCUMENT CHANGE CONTROL
This document is under configuration control. Latest changes to the document are listed first.
Issue Date Chapter Changes

1.0 01.05.2014 All First issue
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 5
1.1 Purpose ...................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Scope ......................................................................................................................... 5
1.3 Position within Project Framework .............................................................................. 5
1.4 Executive TanDEM-X Science Phase Summary ............................................................. 5
2 References ..................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Applicable References ................................................................................................. 6
2.2 Normative References ................................................................................................. 6
2.3 Informative References ............................................................................................... 6
3 Terms, Definitions and Abbreviations ......................................................................... 8
3.1 Terms and Definitions ................................................................................................. 8
3.2 Abbreviations ............................................................................................................. 8
4 The TanDEM-X Science Phase ....................................................................................... 9
4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 9
4.2 The TanDEM-X Mission Objectives .............................................................................. 9
4.2.1 Orbital Configuration ...................................................................................................... 10
4.3 Observation Modes .................................................................................................. 11
4.3.1 Interferometric Modes .................................................................................................... 11
4.3.2 Dual Receive Antenna Mode ........................................................................................... 13
4.3.3 Combination of Interferometric and Imaging Modes ....................................................... 15
4.4 Science Phase Mission Timeline ................................................................................. 16
4.4.1 Baseline Variation as a Function of Latitude ..................................................................... 17
5 The TanDEM-X Science Phase Experiments ............................................................... 21
6 Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 24
6.1.1 Alternating Bistatic Mode ................................................................................................ 24
6.1.2 Bistatic Mode .................................................................................................................. 24
6.1.3 Short Across-Track Baseline Phase ................................................................................... 24
6.1.4 Polarimetric and Stripmap-ATI Mode ............................................................................... 25
ANNEX A. Perpendicular Baseline for different Phases of Libration (PM Mode) .......... 26
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1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide background about the specific Science Phase of the
TanDEM-X mission to scientists who are interested to use operational and experimental TanDEM-X data
exclusively for scientific purpose. It describes the Science Phase with its interferometric and imaging
modes, as well as the time-line and the application experiments.
1.2 Scope
This document is dedicated to all science users of the TanDEM-X mission and as such it is accessible to
the public.
1.3 Position within Project Framework

The TanDEM-X science coordination belongs to the supporting team of the TanDEM-X project
management. The science coordination activities are part of the Instrument Operation & Calibration
Segment (IOCS) within the TanDEM-X Ground Segment and the Science Service Segment. The Science
Service Segment consists of the Science Service System, the Online Order & Delivery via EOWEB and the
Science Coordinator & Order Desk, which interacts with the Ground Segment and the science user.
1.4 Executive TanDEM-X Science Phase Summary

TanDEM-X (TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement) opened up a new era in spaceborne
radar remote sensing. The single pass interferometer collected data for a global high resolution digital
elevation model and will now start to acquire data for the Science Phase.
The TanDEM-X Science Phase will focus on the secondary objectives of the TanDEM-X mission. The
main goal of the Science Phase is the demonstration of new SAR techniques that have yet not or only
partially been demonstrated on ground using airborne SAR sensors. The importance of the
demonstration lies in the development of new scientific application products and/or new technologies.
For example, beyond the generation of a global TanDEM-X DEM as the primary mission goal, local
DEMs of even higher accuracy level (spatial sampling of 6 m and relative vertical accuracy of 0.8 m) and
applications based on Along-Track Interferometry (ATI) like measurements of ocean currents are
important secondary mission objectives. Along-track interferometry will also allow for innovative
applications to be explored and can be performed by the so-called dual-receive antenna mode on each
of the two satellites and/or by adjusting the along-track distance between TSX and TDX to the desired
value. Combining both modes will provide a highly capable along-track interferometer with four phase
centers. The different ATI modes will e.g. be used for improved detection, localisation and ambiguity
resolution in ground moving target indication and traffic monitoring applications. Furthermore,
TanDEM-X supports the demonstration and application of new SAR techniques, with focus on multi-
static SAR, polarimetric SAR interferometry, digital beamforming and super resolution.
The Science Phase will last 15 months with the defined operation schedule. Its starts in October 2014
and ends in December 2015 and will operate in two main interferometric modes. The science proposal
submission for data requests is available over the TanDEM-X Science Service System.
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2 References
2.1 Applicable References

The following documents are fully applicable together with this document.
Document ID Document Title Issue
I. Hajnsek, M. Weber, “TanDEM-X User Requirements Document (URD)”,
[A1] TDX-RD-DLR-1201 1.2
20.06.2005 (project internal)
M. Bartusch, et al. “TanDEM-X Mission Requirements Document (MRD)”,
[A2] TDX-PD-RS-0001 4.0
07.06.2011 (project internal)
[A3] TD-PD-PL-0068 I. Hajnsek, T. Busche, ‘’TanDEM-X Science Plan”, 30.06.2010 (public) 1.0
[A4] TD-GS-PS-3028 T. Fritz,” TanDEM-X Experimental Product Description” 27.01.2012 (public) 1.2
[A5] TD-GS-UM-0115 T. Busche,”TanDEM-X Science Service Manual”06.07.2010 (public) 1.0
2.2 Normative References

The following standards have been used for preparing the plan on hand.
None None
2.3 Informative References

The following documents, though not formally part of this document, amplify or clarify its content.
[R1] Krieger, Gerhard; Zink, Manfred; Bachmann, Markus; Bräutigam,

Benjamin; Schulze, Daniel; Martone, Michele; Rizzoli, Paola; Steinbrecher,
Ulrich; Walter Anthony, John; De Zan, Francesco; Hajnsek, Irena;
Papathanassiou, Kostas; Kugler, Florian; Rodriguez Cassola, Marc; Younis,
Marwan; Baumgartner, Stefan; Lopez Dekker, Paco; Prats, Pau and
Moreira, Alberto (2013) TanDEM-X: A Radar Interferometer with Two
Formation Flying Satellites. Acta Astronautica, Elsevier, vol. 89, pp 83-98,
2013
[R2] Krieger, Gerhard; Moreira, Alberto; Fiedler, Hauke; Hajnsek, Irena; Werner,
Marian; Younis, Marwan; Zink, Manfred, TanDEM-X: A Satellite Formation
for High Resolution SAR Interferometry. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience
and Remote Sensing, vol. 45, no.11, pp. 3317–3341, 2010
[R3] Pitz, W. ; Miller, D., The TerraSAR-X Satellite, IEEE Transactions on
Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on, vol. 48 , issue 2,p
615-622, 2010
R. Werninghaus, S. Buckreuss, TerraSAR-X System and Mission Design,
[R4] IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, vol 48, no 2, pp.
606-614, 2010.
G. Krieger, H. Fiedler, “TanDEM-X Mission Analysis Report” (project
[R5] TD-PD-RP-0012 1.1
internal)
[R6] TX-PGS-PL-4001 A. Roth, “TerraSAR-X Science Plan” 1.0
[R7] TD-GS-PS-0021 B. Wessel, “DEM Products Specification Document” 3.0
[R8] J. Mittermayer, H. Runge, “Conceptual studies for exploiting the TerraSAR-

X dual receive antenna” Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium,
2003. IGARSS '03. Proceedings. vol. 3, pp. 2140 – 2142, 2003
[R9] S. Suchandt, H. Runge, H. Breit, U. Steinbrecher, A. Kotenkov, U. Balss,
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“Automatic Extraction of Traffic Flows Using TerraSAR-X Along-Track

Interferometry”, IEEE Transaction on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, vol.
48, no. 2, pp. 807-819, 2010
[R10] M. Gabele, B. Brautigam, D. Schulze, U. Steinbrecher, N. Tous-Ramon, M.
Younis, „Fore and Aft Channel Reconstruction in the TerraSAR-X Dual
Receive Antenna Mode”, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote
Sensing, vol. 48 , Issue 2, pp. 795-806, 2010
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3 Terms, Definitions and Abbreviations
3.1 Terms and Definitions

Term Definition
Perpendicular Baseline Geometric Baseline independent of the Satellite formation
Effective Baseline Baseline resulting from the Satellite formation
3.2 Abbreviations
Abbreviation Meaning
ATI Along-track SAR Interferometry
COFUR Cost of fulfilling user requests
DEM Digital Elevation Model
CoSSC Coregistered single look slant range complex
DRA Dual Receive Antenna
DTED Digital Terrain Elevation Data
EOWEB Earth Observation WEB Interface
IOCS Instrument Operation & Calibration Segment
MOS Mission Operation Segment
PGS Payload Ground Segment
PI Principle Investigator
PM Pursuit Monostatic
PRF Pulse Repetition Frequency
RF Radio Frequency
SRTM Shuttle Radar Topography Mission
TanDEM-X TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurements
TDX TanDEM-X Satellite
TD-X TanDEM-X Mission
TSX TerraSAR-X Satellite
TS-X TerraSAR-X Mission
XTI Across-track SAR Interferometry
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4 The TanDEM-X Science Phase
4.1 Introduction
The TanDEM-X Science Phase is dedicated to the demonstration of innovative techniques and
experiments that have special orbital and imaging requirements in order to foster the development of
new methods and applications. In this phase the secondary science requirements of the TanDEM-X
mission are fulfilled and adapted to the science needs [A3],[A5].
The science needs have been collected during an extensive survey in the beginning of the mission and
during the splinter meetings of the TanDEM-X science meetings. As a result a predefined system
configuration and time-line for the Science Phase as well as potential experiments that can be
conducted are described in this document.
4.2 The TanDEM-X Mission Objectives

TanDEM-X stands for TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurements and its mission concept is
essentially based on an extension of the TerraSAR-X mission by a second TerraSAR-X like satellite [R2],
[R6], [R7], [R1]. The mission is realized in the framework of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between
the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Airbus Defence and Space, as for TerraSAR-X.
The TerraSAR-X satellite (TSX), as basis for TanDEM-X, is not only a high performance SAR system with
respect to SAR image and operational features, but it has already built in all necessary features required
for the implementation of the TanDEM-X mission [R3], [R4]. Examples are additional X-band horn
antennas for inter-satellite phase synchronization, the availability of a dual-frequency GPS receiver for
precise orbit determination, the excellent RF phase stability of the SAR instrument, and PRF
synchronization based on GPS as a common time reference.
The second satellite (TDX) is a rebuild of TSX with only minor modifications like an additional cold gas
propulsion system for constellation fine tuning and an additional S-band receiver to enable a reception
of status and GPS position information broadcast by TSX. This guarantees a low development risk and
offers the possibility for a flexible share of operational functions among the two satellites. Both systems
can also be employed for monostatic data takes which is necessary to fulfil the data requirements of the
TerraSAR-X mission together with the TanDEM-X mission goals.
Both satellites were designed for a nominal lifetime of 5.5 years. Predictions for TSX based on the
current status of system resources indicate up to five extra years (until the end of 2017) of lifetime,
providing at least five years of joint operation with TDX.
The instruments on both satellites are advanced high resolution X-band synthetic aperture radars based
on active phased array technology which can be operated in different imaging modes like Spotlight,
Stripmap, and ScanSAR with multi-polarization capability, respectively [R3], [R4]. The centre frequency
of the instruments is 9.65 GHz with a selectable SAR chirp bandwidth of up to 300 MHz. The active
phased array antenna, which has an overall aperture size of 4.8 m x 0.7 m, is fixed mounted to the
spacecraft body and incorporates 12 panels with 32 waveguide sub-arrays for both H and V
polarization. This enables agile beam pointing and flexible beam shaping.
The primary objective of the TanDEM-X mission is the generation of a worldwide, consistent, timely,
and high precision Digital Elevation Model (DEM) as the basis for a wide range of scientific research, as
well as for operational and commercial DEM generation. Further, TanDEM-X will also exploit and
demonstrate a wide range of advanced and innovative SAR techniques for the first time in space. These
experiments, assigned as secondary mission objectives, are regarded as an integral part of the mission
[A1], [A2].
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4.2.1 Orbital Configuration
The TanDEM-X operational scenario requires a coordinated operation of two satellites flying in close
formation. The adjustment parameters for the formation are the node line angle, the angle between
the perigees, the orbit eccentricities and the phasing between the satellites. With these parameters,
several options have been investigated during the phase A study, and the Helix satellite formation
illustrated in Figure 4.1 has finally been selected for operational DEM generation [R2]. This formation
combines an out-of-plane (horizontal) orbital displacement by different ascending nodes with a radial
(vertical) separation by different eccentricity vectors resulting in a helix-like relative movement of the
satellites along the orbit. Since there exists no crossing of the satellite orbits, one may now allow for
arbitrary shifts of the satellites along their orbits. This enables a safe spacecraft operation without the
necessity for autonomous control. It is furthermore possible to optimize the along-track displacement at
predefined latitudes for different applications: Cross-Track Interferometry will aim at along-track
baselines which are as short as possible to ensure an optimum overlap of the Doppler spectra and to
avoid temporal decorrelation in vegetated areas, while other applications like along-track interferometry
or super resolution require selectable along-track baselines in the range from hundred meters up to
several kilometers.
The Helix formation enables a complete mapping of the Earth with a stable height of ambiguity by
using a small number of formation settings [R2]. Southern and northern latitudes can be mapped with
the same formation by using ascending orbits for one and descending orbits for the other hemisphere,
as illustrated in Figure 4.1 on the right. A fine-tuning of the cross-track baselines can be achieved by
taking advantage of the natural rotation of the eccentricity vectors due to secular disturbances, also
called motion of libration. The phases of this libration can be kept in a fixed relative position with small
maneuvers using the cold gas thrusters on a daily basis, while major formation changes as well as a
duplication of the orbit keeping maneuvers required by TSX will be performed by the hot gas thrusters.
On the other side the natural rotation, if not corrected, can be used for the collection of different
baselines. In this case the arguments of perigree between TDX and TSX are drifting apart from each
other, which lead to a natural drift of the geographic position where the maximum and minimum
vertical baselines are obtained. During the Pursuit Monostatic Phase the satellite drift is used to obtain
the diversity of baselines within a short time period.
vertical
baseline
horizontal
baseline
effective
baselines
NH
(asc.)
SH
(desc.)
Figure 4.1: Helix satellite formation for TanDEM-X. Left: orbital arrangement. Right: cross-track baselines as
function of the orbit position. The positions correspond to one complete orbit cycle where NH and SH mean
northern and southern hemisphere, respectively. The Helix formation enables an interferometric mapping of the
complete Earth surface with a stable height of ambiguity using a small number of formation settings. Southern
and northern latitudes can be mapped with the same formation by using ascending orbits for one and
descending orbits for the other hemisphere, as illustrated on the right.
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4.3 Observation Modes

Two major interferometric operation modes are foreseen, the pursuit monostatic mode and the bistatic
mode, but also the alternating bistatic mode can be partly switched on during the bistatic operation.
For both interferometric modes, an operation either in single/dual or in quad polarization using the dual
receive antenna technique will be possible. The pursuit monostatic phase starts in autumn 2014 and
lasts approx. 5 months. It is characterized by a set of drifting across-track baselines that range between
0 m and 750 m. Since these baselines are available at all latitudes and within short time periods, they
are well suited for SAR tomography as well as large baseline investigations in the Polar Regions. The
large along-track separation of 76 km (10 seconds) between the satellites enables, moreover, the
observation of slow drifts and movements. The bistatic phase will then begin in early spring 2015 using
a formation with short along-track but large across-track baselines. These baselines are well suited for
the monitoring of crop heights during the growing season, but they can also serve many other
applications that demand repeated acquisitions with large but temporally constant baselines. In autumn
2015, the bistatic baselines will be reduced to 0-250 m as required for forest applications and along-
track interferometry. While science acquisitions will have priority during this 15-month period, it is
nevertheless planned to acquire additional data to fill gaps and further improve the quality of the
TanDEM-X DEM and for the higher resolution DEM.
For completeness and a better understanding of the parameter that a Principle Investigator can select
for a desirable observation scenario a brief summary of the orbital configuration, data acquisition
modes and the science mission timeline is given.
4.3.1 Interferometric Modes
Interferometric data acquisitions with the TanDEM-X satellite formation can be achieved from three
interferometric modes: Bistatic, Pursuit Monostatic, and Alternating Bistatic. The three cooperative
modes may further be combined with different TSX and TDX SAR imaging modes like Stripmap,
ScanSAR, and Spotlight, the last mode being in sliding spotlight acquisition geometry [R5]. Also the
new imaging modes like Staring Spotlight and Wide Swath (wide Beam ScanSAR) mode will be
available. Further the polarimetric capability and short along-track baseline interferometry using the
Dual Receive Antenna Mode can be explored. Selected data acquisition modes are highlighted in the
following.
4.3.1.1 Pursuit Monostatic Mode
In the pursuit monostatic InSAR mode, the two satellites are operated independently from each other
(Figure 4.2). The along-track distance will be 76 km to avoid RF interference between the radar signals.
Temporal decorrelation is still small for most terrain types except vegetation at moderate to high wind
speeds as well as for water. The interferometric height sensitivity is doubled with respect to the bistatic
operation and this requires higher baseline determination accuracy. Neither pulse nor phase
synchronization is required in the pursuit monostatic mode. For ScanSAR acquisitions an sufficient burst
synchronization is ensured by an appropriate satellite commanding.
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Figure 4.2: Pursuit monostatic mode for TanDEM-X data acquisition.
4.3.1.2 Bistatic Mode
This mode uses either TSX or TDX as a transmitter to illuminate a common radar footprint on the
Earth’s surface. The scattered signal is then recorded by both satellites simultaneously (Figure 4.3). This
simultaneous data acquisition makes dual use of the available transmit power and is mandatory to
minimize possible errors from temporal decorrelation and atmospheric disturbances. A prerequisite for
bistatic InSAR operation is PRF synchronization between the two satellites. Accurate interferometric
measurements require moreover relative phase referencing to compensate the mutually uncorrelated
phase noise from the two local oscillators. The bistatic mode will be the standard mode during the data
acquisition for the TanDEM-X digital elevation model.
Figure 4.3: Bistatic mode for TanDEM-X data acquisition.

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4.3.1.3 Alternating Bistatic Mode
A third operational mode is the alternating bistatic mode, where the transmitter is switched on a pulse-
to-pulse basis. The scattered signal from the ground is then recorded by both receivers simultaneously
as shown in Figure 4.4.
Figure 4.4: Alternating bistatic mode for TanDEM-X data acquisition.
The alternating bistatic mode acquires two monostatic and two bistatic SAR images during a single pass
of the satellite formation. A comparison of the bistatic and monostatic images is hence well suited for
the measurement of oscillator induced phase errors, thereby enabling an accurate phase calibration of
the bistatic SAR interferometer. After phase calibration, the two bistatic images can be combined into a
single bistatic SAR image with double PRF. For cross-track interferometry, two interferograms with
different phase-to-height sensitivities can be derived:
 The combination of one monostatic and the bistatic image yields a cross-track interferogram
with a height of ambiguity of hamb = ( r sin(i)) / B, where  is the wavelength, r the slant
range, i the incident angle, and B the baseline perpendicular to the line of sight. Either the
first or the second monostatic image can be selected, and a combination of both interferograms
can be used to improve both the phase calibration and the phase stability.
 The combination of the two monostatic SAR images yields a second interferogram with double
phase-to-height sensitivity resulting in a height of ambiguity of hamb = ( r sin(i)) / (2 B).
The use of alternating transmitters in the bistatic mode allows hence for the simultaneous acquisition of
two cross-track interferograms with phase-to-height sensitivities differing by a factor of two which will
facilitate the process of interferometric phase unwrapping if the monostatic baseline is adjusted to fulfill
the height determination accuracy requirements, i.e. half of the bistatic baseline is selected. Data takes
in the alternating bistatic mode are used for system verification and calibration purposes.
4.3.2 Dual Receive Antenna Mode
The Dual Receive Antenna Mode enables the acquisition of a full polarimetric coherent scattering matrix
or alternatively the operation with four phase centers, e.g. for tracking fast moving objects. The whole
radar antenna can be electronically split into two parts in reception in along-track. The signals of both
antenna parts are received and recorded separately. As a drawback the received gain of a half antenna
is reduced by 3 dB and the overall swath width is reduced by half [R8], [R9], [R10]. In addition in the
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Dual Receive Antenna mode the azimuth ambiguities are high. Both, the SNR and ambiguities, can be
improved or reduced under certain constrains.
In the single polarimetry case the whole antenna is transmitting and receiving the signal in one
polarisation. Dual polarimetry uses also the full antenna for the transmission and reception of the radar
pulses. The two polarisations are required by toggling the polarisation from pulse to pulse. The fully
polarimetric acquisition can only be done by the electronically split antenna (Figure 4.5). In this case the
whole antenna is transmitting one polarisation and in reception the split into two separate parts enables
the recording of two polarisations. To obtain the whole scattering matrix the transmitted polarisation is
toggled pulse by pulse. Fully polarimetric observations are important to distinguish different scattering
mechanisms occurring within a resolution cell. It is recommended to choose for the investigation
stronger backscattered regions and steeper incidence angle as the noise component of the SNR and the
ambiguities are severely reducing the performance of the SAR image.
Figure 4.5: Sketch of the operation of the Dual Receive Antenna Mode for polarimetric operation.
The split radar antenna has two physical phase centers separated by 2.4 m resulting in a theoretical
effective along-track baseline of 1.2 m. The distance can be used to measure velocities of moving
objects like for ocean currents and traffic observations. The distance within one satellite is providing a
fixed short baseline, whereas the distance between the satellites provides longer variable baselines. At
the same time with the two satellites, both operated in the Dual Receive Antenna mode, 4 phase
centers can be obtained and is named as Stripmap-ATI mode.
Figure 4.6: Sketch of the operation of the Dual Receive Antenna Mode for along-track interferometry
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4.3.3 Combination of Interferometric and Imaging Modes
For the interferometric modes only a selection of imaging modes can be operationally processed by
DLR’s processing facility. The selection of imaging modes is different between the single receive
antenna mode and the dual receive antenna mode (see Table 4.1 and 4.2).
In the case of the single receive antenna mode 12 combinations, depending on the interferometric and
imaging mode, can be operationally processed by the DLR processor, they are collared in Table 4.1. All
other combinations cannot be processed and are marked with crosses. The delivered product is the co-
registered single-look slant range complex (CoSSC) product with the exception of the red marked
combination: For the imaging modes ScanSAR and Wide ScanSAR, acquired only during the Pursuit
Monostatic phase, there will be two TerraSAR-X like L1B products available [A4].
In the case of the dual receive antenna mode three combinations between the imaging modes and the
interferometric modes are available. Only in the Stripmap mode fully polarimetric CoSSC products for
the bistatic and pursuit monostatic mode will be available. The single polarisation DRA mode represents
the 4 phase center mode for along-track interferometric acquisitions.
SRA bistatic alternating bistatic pursuit monostatic

Pol S D Q S D Q S D Q
Stripmap x x x x
Spotlight/High Resolution Spotlight x x x x
Starring Spotlight x x x x x x x x
ScanSAR/Wide ScanSAR x x x x x x x x
Table 4.1: Possible combination between interferometric modes and imaging modes for the Single Receive
Antenna Mode (SRA) (S: single, D: dual, Q: quad polarisation). Blue: operational processing available and product
delivery as CoSSC, Red: available as two separate TerraSAR-X Mission like products (no CoSSCs), Crosses: not
available.
DRA Bistatic alternating bistatic pursuit monostatic

Pol S D Q S D Q S D Q
Stripmap x x x x x
Spotlight/High Resolution Spotlight x x X x x x x x x
Starring Spotlight x x X x x x x x x
ScanSAR/Wide ScanSAR x x X x x x x x x
Table 4.2: Possible combination between interferometric modes and imaging modes for the Dual Receive
Antenna Mode (DRA) (S: single, D: dual, Q: quad polarisation). Blue: operational processing available and product
delivery as CoSSC, Orange: ATI and 4 phase center experiments possible, Crosses: not available.
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4.4 Science Phase Mission Timeline

The Science Phase is planned for 15 months starting in October 2014 and ending in December 2015
(Table 4.3). Within this time two main operation modes will be executed, the pursuit monostatic and
the bistatic mode with varying perpendicular and along-track baselines. In addition, the Dual Receive
Antenna mode will be available for both operation modes enabling the acquisition of polarimetric and 4
phase center data. Further, all imaging modes, from Stripmap, Spotlight, Staring Spotlight, ScanSAR to
Wide ScanSAR mode are available to be selected for data acquisition. In the following, the different
operation phases are summarised:
 Pursuit Monostatic Phase: The pursuit monostatic phase is characterized by a set of drifting
across-track baselines at all latitudes and within short time periods ranging between 0 – 750 m.
After two months of operation the Dual Receive Antenna mode is switched on and will be
operated until the end of this phase. The available variety of baselines is ideal for SAR
tomography studies and for Polar Regions applications. The along-track separation between the
satellites will be large enabling the observation of small velocities, as they can be detected from
ships or drifting sea ice. In addition to the Bistatic TanDEM-X imaging modes the new modes
Staring Spotlight and Wide ScanSAR are available during this phase.
 Bistatic Phase: The bistatic phase is characterised by three elements, the operation of the Dual
Receive Antenna mode, the stable huge (3-4 km) and the short (0-250 m) across-track
interferometric baselines. This Phase starts in March 2015 with the Commissioning Phase for the
verification, validation and tests for the Dual Receive Antenna mode in bistatic operation and
will be in use until the end of the Science Phase, being suitable for fully polarimetric and 4
phase center experiments. The across-track baseline variation is split into two sub-phases, the
large baseline and the short baseline phase.
o Large Baseline Phase: During 5 months large to huge baselines are operated for
example for growth observation of short vegetation growth in the Northern hemisphere.
o Short Baseline Phase: During one month the baselines are reduced back to the initial
distance operated during the TanDEM-X DEM phase and are kept in the short baseline
configuration until the end of the Science Phase suitable for forest height estimation
experiments or for ocean applications with short along-track baselines on the Southern
hemisphere.
While science acquisitions will have priority during the 15-month Science Phase period, it is nevertheless
planned to acquire additional data to fill gaps and further improve the quality of the TanDEM-X DEM
and to acquire data for high resolution DEMs
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Table 4.3 Science Phase Timeline (CP: Commissioning Phase, PC: Phase Center)
Months 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
2014/15
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Operation Pursuit Monostatic Bistatic

Mode
Polarimetry Single/Dual Single/Dual/Quad CP Single/Dual/Quad Polarimetry

Polarimetry Polarimetry
Phase Center 2 PC 2/4 PC CP 2/4 PC

(PC)
Baseline 0-750 m (perp. baseline) 3-4 3-4 km (horizontal baseline at Equator) Fast 0-250 m
(values for all (slow drift over 5 months) km smaller at higher latitudes drift (stable short perp.
latitudes) (stable baselines over the whole period) back baselines)
at to
Equa 300
tor m
Along-track 76 km 0-500 m (both hemispheres) 300-850 m

baselines (ascending)
~ 0-300 m
(descending)
The Science Phase timelline represents a guideline for the proposal submission for data request and is a
major outcome of the splinter meetings at the 4th TanDEM-X Science Meeting in June 2013. The
science users should plan their data take requests during proposal submission according to this table.
An overview of achievable baselines during the different sub-phases is given in the following section.
For an overview of the different across-track baselines the following categories are established:
 small: 0-200 m
 normal: 200-500 m
 large: 500-1000 m
 very large: 1000-3000 m
 huge: < 3000 m
4.4.1 Baseline Variation as a Function of Latitude
For those interested into more details on the variation of the baselines for given geographical latitudes
the following section is provided. The plots show the across-track and along-track baselines for the
specific Science Phases as a function of latitude.
Pursuit Monostatic Phase
As already pointed out the highlight of this phase is the baseline variation in short time. This is achieved
by the natural drifting of the satellite that is kept over a time period. The satellite drift is controlled by
the libration phase. As a result a different baseline plot is obtained for each phase of libration. The
phase of libration is varying between 0-360 degrees within 104 days. In the following only two
examples are given for a specific configuration, which illustrate that nearly any across track baseline can
be achieved for a given latitude during this phase. The whole set of baseline diversity for each libration
phase is provided in Annex A.
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Figure 4.6: TanDEM-X perpendicular baselines for different latitudes for a given phase of libration (left: 0 degree
and right: 90 degrees). In each figure the baseline variation is plotted as a function of look angles (colors) and for
ascending and descending passes (continuous and dotted lines). The Northern hemisphere is represented by
positive and the Southern hemisphere by negative latitude values.
In summary the pursuit monostatic phase is characterised by the following features:

 Collection of a variety of across-track baselines within a short time obtained by means of the
satellite drift.
 A fine tuning of the cross-track baseline (or matching height of ambiguity) can be performed by
a careful selection of the incidence angle, as the difference can be large between different
beams. In general steep incidence angels deliver shorter across-track baselines.
 Similar cross-track baselines can be achieved in both ascending and descending orbits, and for
both hemispheres.
 The along-track baselines are close to stable over the latitudes for the whole Pursuit Monostatic
Phase period and in the order of 76 km.
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Bistatic Phase
The main characteristics of the bistatic phase are the stable long and short across-track baselines and
short along-track baseline. In the bistatic phase the natural drift of the satellite is corrected on a daily
basis to avoid baseline variations. In summary the bistatic long and short baseline periods are
characterised by the following features:
 Large Across-Track Baseline Phase (Figure 4.7):
o The perpendicular baseline has a strong dependence on the latitude. At the Equator the
largest across-track baselines are obtained and they become shorter towards the poles.
o In the Southern hemisphere the descending orbits show slightly larger across-track
baselines, compared to ascending orbits, and the opposite is true for the Northern
hemisphere. This means, both orbit directions can be utilized for both hemispheres as
the differences are small.
o In general steeper incidence angles show larger across-track baselines.
Figure 4.7: TanDEM-X perpendicular (left) and along-track (right) baselines for different latitudes for the bistatic
large baseline phase. In each figure the baseline variation is plotted as a function of incidence angles (colors) and
for ascending and descending passes (continuous and dotted lines). The Northern hemisphere is presented by
o The along-track baselines are short close to the Poles at around 70-80 degree North and
South and are independent of incidence angle.
o Only in the Southern hemisphere at a small range of latitudes (70-80 degree) both short
along and across-track baselines are obtained as desired for Ocean current experiments.
 Short Across-Track Baseline Phase (Figure 4.8):

o In the Southern hemisphere normal across-track baselines are obtained in the
descending orbits. Small across-track baselines are obtained in the ascending orbits.
o In contrary, on the Northern hemisphere large across-track baselines are obtained in the
ascending orbit and small baselines in the descending orbits.
o Short along-track baselines are available on the Northern and Southern hemisphere in
the ascending orbit with a minimum close to ±45 degree latitude.
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o However, both together, short across and along-track baselines (less than 100 m) are
only available in the ascending orbit on the Southern hemisphere.
Figure 4.8: TanDEM-X perpendicular (left) and along-track (right) baseline for different latitudes for the bistatic
short baseline phase. In each figure the baseline variation is plotted as a function of incidence angles (colors) and
for ascending and descending passes (continuous and dotted line). The Northern hemisphere is presented by
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5 The TanDEM-X Science Phase Experiments

During the TanDEM-X Science Meeting in June 2013 several experiments covering a wide range of
applications have been proposed for the TanDEM-X Science Phase. On the basis of this first exchange
with the Principle Investigators the Science Phase timeline has been established. Even though most of
the requirements of the different scientific experiments could be accommodated in the time line not all
could be included, as seen from the tables in this section. However, the timeline is now the guideline
for all scientists requesting data for their application experiments.
The application experiments listed in the following tables are only examples and should trigger the
proposition of further application experiments not listed here. Some of the suggestions made by the
scientist are not supported by the operational processor (please see Table 4.1 and 4.2).
Vegetation Experiments
Application InSAR Imaging DRA Baseline Coverage Time Comments
Mode Mode
Forest Bistatic SM single/dual/quad set of short  Northern/Southern All year Need access
height across-track hemisphere around to global
SL single/dual/quad baselines  boreal forest DEM data
(100-300 m) Leaf on/off
 Amazon basin
Forest Bistatic SM single/dual/quad set of short  Northern/Southern All year Need access
structure or PM across-track hemisphere around to global
SL single/dual/quad baselines  boreal forest DEM data
(100-300 m) Leaf on/off
for
Tomography
Forest Bistatic SM dual Large to very  Amazon Basin 2 times AB with 20
mapping and AB large acquisition: m HoA
baselines wet/dry
(100-1000 m) season
Crop height Bistatic SM dual/quad Very long to  selected sites 3-4 Noise need to
huge (Northern/Southern months be reduced in
SL baselines (1-4 growth HV (e.g.
hemisphere)
km) period reduction of
 Europe/Asia/USA/Australia bandwith)
Figure 5.1: Vegetation Experiments (SM: Stripmap, SL: Spotlight, PM: Pursuit Monostatic Mode, AB: Alternating
Bistatic, HoA: Height of Ambiguity)
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Cryosphere Experiments
Mode Mode
Sea Ice Depth PM SM dual/quad Very  Selected sea ice Polar winter
long/huge regions (4-5 cycles)
across-track
baselines (1-4
m)
Sea Ice Bistatic SM single/dual Huge  Super test sites Polar winter Deci-meters to
Topography baselines (3-4  Selected site at the (4-5 cycles) centimeters height
km) Northern hemisphere resolution;
combination with
 North
ground campaign
Greenland/Svalbard
Sea Ice Bistatic SM dual/quad Normal  Super test sites Late polar Combination with
Classification baselines  Selected site winter/early ground campaign;
(200-500 m) spring airborne/
satellite
Surface Bistatic SM Single/dual Normal  Super test sites Spring/ Combination with
Elevation or PM baselines summer; (3-4 ground/
Change/Mass (200-500 m)  Selected sites cycles) airborne/
Balance satellite and
coordinated with
Ice Bridge,
Polar5/6
campaigns
Snow/Ice Bistatic SM Dual/quad set of across-  Super test sites Spring/autu Combination with
structure or PM track mn (3-4 ground/
baselines  Selected sites cycles) airborne/
(100-500 m) satellite
for
Tomography
Snow Depth Bistatic SM Dual/quad Large/huge  Super test sites Jan-April (1-3
or PM baselines cycles)
(500 m-4 km)  Selected sites
Snow Bistatic Single/dual Large/huge  Inner Antarctica Polar

Accumulation or PM baselines summer/wint
(500 m-4 km) er (5-6
cycles)
Figure 5.2: Cryosphere Experiments (SM: Stripmap, SL: Spotlight, PM: Pursuit Monostatic Mode)
Geosphere Experiments
Mode Mode
Volcano Bistatic SM single/dual set of across-  Super test sites All year as
Monitoring or PM track  All volcanos on the many as
SL baselines possible
Northern hemisphere
(100-500 m)
 Assal/El
Hiero/Merapi/Colima
Tectonic Bistatic SM single/dual set of across-  Wenchuan (China) All year as High
Monitoring or PM track  Three Gorge (China) many as resolution
baselines possible DEM required
(100-500 m)
Figure 5.3: Geosphere Experiments (SM: Stripmap, SL: Spotlight, PM: Pursuit Monostatic Mode)
Urban Experiments
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Mode Mode
City Bistatic SM single/dual set of across-  Super test site All year as
Monitoring or PM track  Megacities (London, many as
SL baselines possible
Paris, Beijing,LA,
(100-1000 m) Mexico)
for
tomography
Figure 5.4: Urban Experiments (SM: Stripmap, SL: Spotlight, PM: Pursuit Monostatic Mode)
Ocean Experiments
Mode Mode
Ocean Bistatic SM single/dual small along  Selected areas All year (3-4
Currents and across- cycles)
ScanSAR single track
baselines
(0-100 m)
3D Wave Bistatic SM ATI small along-  Selected areas All year One Satellite
Estimation and PM track should be
SM single/dual/quad baselines physically
(50-100 m) squinted
Figure 5.5: Ocean Experiments (SM: Stripmap, SL: Spotlight, PM: Pursuit Monostatic Mode)
New Technique Demonstration

Mode Mode
Global fully Bistatic SM quad any  global All year Background

polarimetric mission
Bistatic Angle Bistatic SM quad Long/huge  Selected areas All year Variation of
Diversity along and incidence
across angles
baselines
MTI Bistatic SM Dual/quad Small across  Selected areas over land All year
and PM and along-
track
baselines (0-
100 m)
High Bistatic SM 4 Phase Small across  Selected area over land All year
Resolution or PM Centers and along-
Wide Swath track
baselines (0-
100 m)
Figure 5.6: New Techniques Demonstration (SM: Stripmap, SL: Spotlight, PM: Pursuit Monostatic Mode)
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6 Recommendations
This section is created to provide some recommendations to the scientist on the particularities of the
different interferometric and imaging modes. They should present a guideline for the planning of the
individual experiments that the scientist likes to propose.
6.1.1 Alternating Bistatic Mode

Please consider the restrictions for the Alternating Bistatic Mode. The Alternating Bistatic Mode is only
available during the Bistatic Phase. Furthermore, due to exclusion zones (for the transmit capabilities of
the one satellite) in one pass direction for this interferometric mode it is recommended to enter the data
take request in the following way:
 Use ascending orbits for the Northern hemisphere.
 Use descending orbits for the Southern hemisphere.
Only for a small latitude region close to the equator (between ~ 25 deg North and -25 deg South
latitude) the exclusion zones are not applied. However, as the exclusion zones will slightly vary with the
different helix settings over time it is not recommended to use this regions.
The Alternating Bistatic Mode is NOT suited for Ocean Current Measurements (or any other ATI
technique, which needs both very short perpendicular across-track AND very short along-track baselines
below 100m) during the short across-track baseline within the Bistatic phase, as such an area would fall
inside the exclusion zone of the Southern hemisphere; this means that the use of ascending orbits in
the Southern hemisphere, which would serve such a configuration, is not allowed. Only if you can
compensate the topographic phase induced by larger across-track baselines by external references (e.g
a high resolution DEM) ATI measurements using the Alternating Bistatic mode might be feasible during
the bistatic phase. Otherwise it is recommended to use the Stripmap-ATI mode.
6.1.2 Bistatic Mode

For Ocean Current Measurements, both, very short perpendicular across-track and very short along-
track baselines are needed (in order to minimize topographical effects and due to the short
decorrelation time of water). For this application the following strategy is recommended:
 Check the temporal constraints for those applications given by the time table and the helix
plots. Only in the short baseline bistatic mission phase (October-December 2015) the helix will
be set-up in such a way that even for middle latitudes the mentioned baseline requirement can
be met, but on the Southern hemisphere only! The area where the across-track and the along-
track baselines are both below 100 m is located between -60 degree and -30 degree latitude in
ascending orbits only. For entering data takes in this latitude corridor please use only ascending
orbits for the Southern hemisphere to minimize the across- and along-track baseline.
6.1.3 Short Across-Track Baseline Phase

Whenever acquisitions stacks with different baselines (normal to large across-track baselines AND short
across-track baselines for forest height experiments) are needed:
 Use the ascending orbits for the Northern hemisphere.
 Use the descending orbits for the Southern hemisphere.
 Only for areas close to the equator (-10 degree to 10 degree) there is not much difference
between ascending and descending orbits.
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6.1.4 Polarimetric and Stripmap-ATI Mode

The polarimetric and the 4 phase center mode (Stripmap-ATI) require the operation of the Dual Receive
Antenna mode on both satellites. Due to the system reconfiguration the SNR is reduced by 3 dB and the
azimuth ambiguity ratio is increased. In order to retrieve data with a good performance it is
recommended to use steep incidence angles. Another system modification is the duplication of the data
amount on the satellites. Please try to set your data take length to the minimal extend of your test area.
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ANNEX A. Perpendicular Baseline for different Phases of Libration (PM Mode)

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TD-PD-PL 0032TanDEM-X Science Phase

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DOCUMENT CHANGE CONTROL

Issue Date Chapter Changes

1.3 Position within Project Framework

1.4 Executive TanDEM-X Science Phase Summary

2.1 Applicable References

[A5] TD-GS-UM-0115 T. Busche,”TanDEM-X Science Service Manual”06.07.2010 (public) 1.0

2.2 Normative References

2.3 Informative References

[R1] Krieger, Gerhard; Zink, Manfred; Bachmann, Markus; Bräutigam,

[R7] TD-GS-PS-0021 B. Wessel, “DEM Products Specification Document” 3.0

[R8] J. Mittermayer, H. Runge, “Conceptual studies for exploiting the TerraSAR-

“Automatic Extraction of Traffic Flows Using TerraSAR-X Along-Track

3 Terms, Definitions and Abbreviations

3.1 Terms and Definitions

4 The TanDEM-X Science Phase

4.2 The TanDEM-X Mission Objectives

4.2.1 Orbital Configuration

4.3 Observation Modes

4.3.1 Interferometric Modes

4.3.1.1 Pursuit Monostatic Mode

Figure 4.2: Pursuit monostatic mode for TanDEM-X data acquisition.

4.3.1.2 Bistatic Mode

Figure 4.3: Bistatic mode for TanDEM-X data acquisition.

4.3.1.3 Alternating Bistatic Mode

Figure 4.4: Alternating bistatic mode for TanDEM-X data acquisition.

4.3.2 Dual Receive Antenna Mode

4.3.3 Combination of Interferometric and Imaging Modes

SRA bistatic alternating bistatic pursuit monostatic

DRA Bistatic alternating bistatic pursuit monostatic

4.4 Science Phase Mission Timeline

Operation Pursuit Monostatic Bistatic

Polarimetry Single/Dual Single/Dual/Quad CP Single/Dual/Quad Polarimetry

Phase Center 2 PC 2/4 PC CP 2/4 PC

Along-track 76 km 0-500 m (both hemispheres) 300-850 m

4.4.1 Baseline Variation as a Function of Latitude

In summary the pursuit monostatic phase is characterised by the following features:

 Short Across-Track Baseline Phase (Figure 4.8):

5 The TanDEM-X Science Phase Experiments

Snow Bistatic Single/dual Large/huge  Inner Antarctica Polar

Application InSAR Imaging DRA Baseline Coverage Time Comments

New Technique Demonstration

Global fully Bistatic SM quad any  global All year Background

6.1.1 Alternating Bistatic Mode

6.1.2 Bistatic Mode

6.1.3 Short Across-Track Baseline Phase

6.1.4 Polarimetric and Stripmap-ATI Mode

ANNEX A. Perpendicular Baseline for different Phases of Libration (PM Mode)

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