Apostila - SAR Processing With Geomatica

SAR Processing with Geomatica
Course Guide Version 10.3
Copyright and Trademarks

Geomatica Version 10.3, 2010 2010 PCI Geomatics Enterprises, Inc . All rights reserved.
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Table of Contents
SAR processing with Geomatica............................................................................................... 1 Radar Processing Workflows .................................................................................................. 2
Module 1: SAR processing in OrthoEngine .......................................................................... 1-3 Starting OrthoEngine ........................................................................................................ 1-4 Lesson 1.1: Creating a Project and Importing Radar Data .................................................. 1-5 Creating a Project ............................................................................................................. 1-6 Adding images to the project ............................................................................................ 1-9 Saving the Project ........................................................................................................... 1-10 Lesson 1.2: DEM Extraction .............................................................................................. 1-11 Lesson 1.3: Generating Orthorectified Images .................................................................. 1-17
Module 2: Calibrating your data ............................................................................................. 2-1 Lesson 2.1: Extracting a calibrated backscatter image........................................................ 2-2 Starting Geomatica ........................................................................................................... 2-3
Module 3: Applying radiometric enhancements ................................................................... 3-1 Lesson 3.1: Applying SAR speckle filters ............................................................................ 3-2 Lesson 3.2: Computing SAR texture measures ................................................................... 3-7
Module 4: Classifying SAR data ............................................................................................. 4-1 Lesson 4.1: Segmenting SAR data...................................................................................... 4-2 Lesson 4.2: Classifying SAR data........................................................................................ 4-8
Module 5: Working with the SAR Polarimetry Workstation ................................................. 5-1 SAR Polarimetry Workstation components ....................................................................... 5-2 Lesson 5.1: Creating a PCIDSK file from a Polsar dataset.................................................. 5-5 Exporting the Polsar dataset to PCIDSK........................................................................... 5-5 Lesson 5.2: Applying SAR Filters in Focus .......................................................................... 5-7 Lesson 5.3: Using the SAR Polarimetry Target Analysis tool .............................................. 5-9 Starting the SPTA ............................................................................................................. 5-9 Selecting targets and creating response plots ................................................................ 5-10
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Table of Contents
Module 6: Classifying polarimetric data in Modeler ............................................................. 6-1 Lesson 6.1: Ingesting and filtering polarimetric data............................................................ 6-2 Lesson 6.2: Calculating polarimetric discriminators ............................................................. 6-6 Lesson 6.3: Unsupervised classification of POLSAR data ................................................ 6-11
Appendix A: EASI Modeling to convert radar value formats.............................................A-21
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SAR processing with Geomatica
Introduction
Welcome to the SAR Processing with Geomatica training course. This course is designed for experienced users of geospatial software. This course will introduce you to the radar analysis tools available in PCI Geomatica software. This manual contains six modules. Each module contains lessons that are built on tasks that you are likely to perform in your analysis of radar imagery. They provide instruction for using the software to carry out essential processes while sampling key Geomatica applications and features.
About this manual
Each module in this book contains a series of hands-on lessons that let you work with the software and a set of sample data. Lessons have brief introductions followed by tasks and procedures in numbered steps. The lessons provide you an opportunity to work with several Geomatica applications and to carry out different tasks using OrthoEngine and Focus. Your overall goal is to become familiar with the tools available for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) analysis, and to see how you can use Geomatica in your own work. The scope of this guide is confined to the core PCI software applications included in the Geomatica suite. However, some radar remote sensing concepts are reviewed in the modules and lessons. The six modules in this course provide instructions for a range of activities associated with processing SAR data. This course includes the following modules: Module 1: SAR processing in OrthoEngine Module 2: Calibrating your data Module 3: Applying radiometric enhancements Module 4: Classifying SAR data Module 5: Working with the SAR Polarimetry Workstation Module 6: Classifying polarimetric data in Modeler
The data you will use in this course can be found in the Radar Data folder supplied on the CD accompanying your software. It is recommended that you copy this data to your hard disk.
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Radar Processing Workflows
Radar Processing Workflows

Geomatica includes a variety of tools for working with radar data. The workflow that you choose depends on what you want to achieve with your data, whether your images are of flat versus active terrain, or whether you are performing intensity analysis and statistical modeling versus texture analysis and classification. Figure 1 presents two possible workflows, based on the type of terrain present in your imagery.
Figure 1
Workflow diagram
At the orthorectification step, you have different resampling options. Your choice will depend on where you want to proceed with your data. If you know which filter type and size will produce the best results for your image, you can apply the filter at the same time as you orthorectify the image. Otherwise, you can use Nearest Neighbor resampling during orthorectification, then filter and manipulate the orthorectified image to obtain the desired results. The dataset used in this course has varied relief and will be used to demonstrate the workflow for active terrain. Tools for working with flat terrain will also be examined.
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SAR processing in OrthoEngine

Module 1 has three lessons:
Lesson 1.1 Lesson 1.2 Lesson 1.3
Module
Creating a Project and Importing Radar Data DEM Extraction Generating Orthorectified Images
OrthoEngine math models for SAR
The Satellite Orbital math model is a rigorous model developed by Dr. Toutin at the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing to compensate for distortions such as sensor geometry, satellite orbit and attitude variations, and earth shape, rotation, and relief. This model is used for high-resolution and low-resolution imagery from a variety of optical sensors and radar images such as ASAR, RADARSAT, ERS-1 and JERS1. The computed math model calculates the position and orientation of the sensor at the time when the image was taken. The Radar Specific model uses the additional parameters in the orbit data to diminish the amount of ground control points (GCPs) required. The extra parameters maintain the positional accuracy and high levels of detail in the model, but reduces the number of GCPs needed to few or none. This math model does not use tie points because each scene is computed using the GCPs of that scene only. If you have more than eight well-distributed GCPs, both Toutin's model and the Radar Specific model will provide similar results.
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SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 1: SAR processing in OrthoEngine
Starting OrthoEngine
Windows systems To start OrthoEngine on Windows systems:
1. Click the Start menu and select: All Programs > PCI Geomatics > Geomatica Vx.x > OrthoEngine Alternatively, if the Geomatica Toolbar is running, click the OrthoEngine button. The OrthoEngine window opens.
Unix systems
To start OrthoEngine on Unix systems:

1. Enter the Unix environment. 2. At the command prompt, type orthoeng. Alternatively, click the OrthoEngine button on the Geomatica Toolbar. The OrthoEngine window opens.
Figure 1-1:
OrthoEngine window
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Lesson 1.1 Creating a Project and Importing Radar Data
Lesson 1.1
Creating a Project and Importing Radar Data
In this lesson you will:

Create a radar-specific project Add the radar images to the project Save your project
The objective of this lesson is to create a project and import a pair of RADARSAT images. To create this project, you require: Radar images in their raw data format Map projection information
ASAR/ RADARSAT Specific model
The Radar Specific model is designed for stereo DEM extraction and image orthorectification of ASAR and RADARSAT data. Compared to the Rigorous Satellite model for radar data, the Radar Specific model uses the additional parameters in the orbit data to diminish amount of ground control points (GCPs) required. The extra parameters maintain the positional accuracy and high levels of detail in the model, but the number of GCPs required is reduced to few or none. In addition, the model uses satellite ancillary data provided in the CEOS data structure to calculate the satellite position and extract the slant range distance to target. The addition of ground control points, although not necessary, will refine the model and improve its accuracy. Unlike the Rigorous Satellite model, the Radar Specific model does not use tie points (TPs) because each scene is computed using the GCPs of that scene only. If you have more than eight well-distributed GCPs, both Toutin's model and the Radar Specific model will provide similar results.
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Creating a Project
OrthoEngine works on a project-by-project basis. You must open an existing project or create a new project before you gain access to the functions within OrthoEngine. In this lesson, you will create a new Radar project using RADARSAT data.
To create a new project:

1. From the OrthoEngine File menu, click New. The Project Information window opens. 2. Click Browse to display the File to Create window. 3. Locate the Radar Data folder. 4. In the File name field, type radar.prj and click Open. The path and file name appear in the file name field in the Project Information window. 5. In the Name box, type RADARSAT Project. 6. In the Description box, enter RADARSAT ortho project for Irvine, CA. 7. For the Math Modelling Method, select Radar Satellite Modeling. 8. Under Options, select Radar Specific Model.
Figure 1-2:
Project Information window
9. Click OK. The Project Information window closes and the Set Projection window appears.
Figure 1-3:
Set Projection window
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Setting the projection parameters

A projection is a method of portraying all or part of the earth on a flat surface. Output projection defines the final projection for orthoimages, mosaics, 3-D features, and digital elevation models (DEMs). GCP projection defines the projection of your source of ground control information used during manual ground control point (GCP) collection or when importing GCPs from a text file. If you collect GCPs from a geocoded source, the coordinates are reprojected to the GCP projection and saved into the project file. If you collect GCPs from multiple sources, you use the Set Projection window to change the GCP projection to match each source. Using different projections increases processing time during orthorectification, but it means that you do not have to reproject your ground control information prior to using it in OrthoEngine. The projection information must be set at the beginning of each project. In the Set Projection window, enter the projection information for the Irvine area.
Output projection
To enter the output projection parameters:

1. In the Output projection section, from the list to the left of the Earth Model button, select UTM. The Earth Models window opens, displaying the Datums and Ellipsoids tabs. 2. Click the Ellipsoids tab. 3. Select E012, then click Accept. The UTM Zones window opens. 4. Select Zone 11, then click Accept. The UTM Rows window opens. 5. Select Row S, then click Accept. 6. In the Output pixel spacing box, type 12.5. 7. In the Output line spacing box, type 12.5. The value of 12.5 represents the desired resolution (12.5 pixels/meter) of the ortho images and the mosaic file.
GCP projection
To enter the GCP projection parameters:

1. From the GCP Projection section, click Set GCP Projection based on Output Projection. The GCP projection adopts the same settings as those used for the output projection. 2. Click OK. The Set Projection window closes.
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Tip
To modify the projection information, reopen the Set Projection window.
Warning
Changes to the projection mid-project will render any existing orthophotos invalid.
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Adding images to the project

For most sensors, OrthoEngine uses the Read CD-ROM option on the Data Input toolbar to read the raw satellite data, save the imagery into a PCIDSK file, and add a binary segment containing the ephemeris data (orbit information) to the file.
Caution
If you save satellite data from the CD onto a hard disk before reading it to a PCIDSK file, it is important that you maintain the naming structure of the folders as they appeared on the CD. If the structure or folder names are changed, you may encounter errors.
Now that you have created the project file, you will read the raw data to a PCIDSK file. The project file will then contain the file name and location of each input image.
To read images from a CD or digital distribution format:

1. From the OrthoEngine windows Processing Step list, select Data Input. A new toolbar with two icons appears in the OrthoEngine window. You may input data from either a CD-ROM or a PCIDSK file.
Figure 1-4:
Data Input toolbar
2. On the Data Input toolbar, click Read CD-ROM data. The Read CD-ROM window opens. 3. For the CD Format, select RADAR (CEOS). 4. Beside CD image file name, click Select. A File Selection window opens. 5. Locate the Radar Data folder and open the SCENE01-STD2A folder. 6. Select the file DAT_01.001 and click Open. The path and file name are updated in the window. 7. For the Requested Channels, click 1. If you have Single Look Complex data, you would click both 1 and 2 to output the real and imaginary layers to two separate channels. 8. For the SAR Type, select RADARSAT. 9. For the PCIDSK File name, type std2.pix. A report file will also be created. 10. Click Read. When the file is read, it is part of your project. 11. Repeat steps 4 to 10 to read data from the SCENE01-STD6A folder and name the file std6.pix. You have now added a second radar image to your project.
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Saving the Project

To save your project file:
From the File menu in the OrthoEngine window, click Save. The radar.prj file is saved in the Radar Data folder. In addition, OrthoEngine automatically creates a backup file every 10 minutes. The backup file uses the same file name as your project file, but with a .bk extension.
Tip
If you need to revert to the backup file, rename the backup file so that it uses the .prj extension. OrthoEngine can load this project file in the normal way.
To change the settings of the backup option:

1. On the OrthoEngine window, click the Options menu and select Auto Backup. 2. Type the number of minutes that you want between backups. 3. Click Close.
In this lesson you:

Created an Radar specific project Added the radar images to the project Saved your project
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Lesson 1.2 DEM Extraction
Lesson 1.2
DEM Extraction

Set up for epipolar image creation Extract a DEM Geocode the DEM
This lesson describes how to convert two RADARSAT-1 scenes to their epipolar projections. The epipolar pair will be used for extracting and geocoding a DEM. To complete this lesson you require: The two RADARSAT-1 scenes, std2.pix and std6.pix The project file radar.prj
DEM extraction
The process of generating a digital elevation model (DEM) consists of several steps: Converting the raw images into epipolar pairs. Epipolar images are stereo pairs that are reprojected so that the left and right images have a common orientation, and matching features between the images appear along a common x axis. Extracting DEMs from the overlap between the epipolar pairs. The resulting DEMs are called epipolar DEMs. They are not georeferenced at this stage. Geocoding the epipolar DEMs and stitch them together to form one DEM.
The result is one DEM reprojected to the ground coordinate system.
Setting up to create epipolar images

Term
Epipolar images are stereo pairs that are reprojected so that the left and right images have a common orientation, and matching features between the images appear along a common x axis. Using epipolar images increases the speed of the correlation process and reduces the possibility of incorrect matches.
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To open the Create Epipolar Images window:

1. On the OrthoEngine window in the Processing step list, select DEM From Stereo. A new toolbar with five icons appears. The icons on the toolbar access tools to create epipolar images, extract a DEM automatically, manually edit a generated DEM, geocode an extracted DEM, and export a geocoded DEM to a text file.
Figure 1-5:
DEM From Stereo toolbar
2. On the DEM From Stereo toolbar, click Create Epipolar Image. The Generate Epipolar Image window opens.
Figure 1-6:
Generate Epipolar Images window
Now you will select the scenes to generate the epipolar images.
To create the epipolar images:

1. For the Left Image, select std2.pix. 2. For the Right Image, select std6.pix. 3. Click Add Epipolar Pairs To Table.
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The Epipolar Pairs table lists one epipolar pair: std2 and std6. 4. In the Options section, specify the Working Cache. This is the amount of RAM that you want to allocate to create the epipolar pairs.
Note
It is recommended that you NOT exceed 50% of the available RAM. Specifying more than half the RAM available on your system may significantly reduce performance.
5. Select a Downsample Factor of 2. This lets you downsample the epipolar images so that two adjoining pixels and lines will form one pixel in the epipolar image. Adjust this value if you see noisy features in your image that you do not want to see in your DEM. 6. For the Downsample Filter, select Average. 7. Click Save Setup. This saves the options chosen for batch processing with Automatic DEM Extraction. 8. Click Close. Now that you have set up the epipolar image generation, you will set up for DEM extraction.
Extracting a DEM from a stereo pair of images

You can create a digital elevation model (DEM) from stereo pairs of imagestwo or more images of the same area taken from different view points. This method can be useful for creating a DEM for inaccessible areas. You can extract a DEM from ASAR and RADARSAT-1 stereo pairs, and by combining ASAR and RADARSAT-1 images.
Tip
CCRS provides an interactive Web tool to help you select a RADARSAT stereo pair. See http://ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca/resource/tutor/advisor/index_e.php.
OrthoEngine uses image correlation to extract matching pixels in the two images, then uses the sensor geometry from the computed math model to calculate x, y, and z positions. The ASAR/RADARSAT Specific model is based on orbital information instead of ground control points. Orbit information always references an ellipsoid, and the ellipsoid number is taken from the projection information defined in the file. A DEM extracted from satellite imagery using this math model is based on an ellipsoidal model of the earth, not on the geoid. The difference between elevations relative to the ellipsoid and those relative to the geoid may be significant. PCI Geomatics 1-13
You will begin by extracting the DEM from the epipolar pair to create an epipolar DEM, then you will geocode the DEM based on the math model.
To open the Automatic DEM Extraction window:

On the DEM From Stereo toolbar, click Extract DEM automatically. The Automatic DEM Extraction window opens.
Figure 1-7:
Automatic DEM Extraction window
Stereo pair selection
The epipolar pairs created in the last lesson are listed in the Stereo Pairs selection table. The initial status of the pair is Offline because you set up the options for generating the epipolar pair, but did not generate them. They will be generated and the DEM will be extracted all in one step.
To select the stereo pair:

Click in the Select column beside the std2 and std6 stereo pair. A red check mark appears in the column beside the pair.
To set the Epipolar DEM Extraction Options:

1. For the Minimum Elevation, type 0. 2. For the Maximum Elevation, type 1750. 3. Accept the default Failure Value of -100. 4. Accept the default Background Value of -150. 5. In the DEM Detail list, select Medium. 6. Accept the default Output DEM Channel Type of 16-bit unsigned. 7. Set the Pixel Sampling Interval to 2.
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This controls the size of the pixel in the final DEM relative to the input images. The higher the number, the larger the DEM pixel will be, and the faster the DEM is processed. 8. Leave the Use Clip Region checkbox cleared. 9. Select Fill Holes & Filter. This will automatically interpolate the data over failed areas and filter elevation values based on adjacent pixels. 10. Leave the Delete Epipolar Pairs After Use checkbox cleared. 11. Click Extract DEM. 12. When the DEM extraction is complete, click Close. Now that you have extracted the epipolar DEM, you will geocode the DEM based on the math model.
To geocode the DEM:

1. On the DEM From Stereo toolbar, click Geocode Extracted Epipolar DEM. The Geocode Extracted Epipolar DEM window opens.
Figure 1-8:
Geocode Extracted Epipolar DEM window
2. To locate the Input DEM File, click Browse. 3. From the Radar Data folder, select dem_std2_std6.pix and click Open. The DEM channel is automatically selected as channel 3 and the default Failure and Background values are displayed. 4. Accept the default Input Window setting of Full Image. 5. To specify the Output DEM File, click Browse and locate the Radar Data folder. 6. For the File name, type geocoded_dem.pix and click Open. The path and file name appear in the Output DEM File field. 7. For Pixel Spacing, enter 50m. This specifies the pixel spacing of the epipolar DEM. 8. For the File holes option, select Yes.
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9. Click Geocode DEM. 10. When the process is complete, click Close.
Tip
The Convert DEM Datum tool under the Utilities menu allows you to convert your DEM from Ellipsoid to MSL or MSL to Ellipsoid.
To view the DEM:

1. From the File menu on the OrthoEngine window, select Image View. A File Selection window opens. 2. From the Radar Data folder, select and open geocoded_dem.pix. A viewer appears, displaying the extracted and geocoded DEM.
Figure 1-9:
Viewer displaying geocoded DEM
In this lesson you:

Set up for epipolar image creation Extracted a DEM Geocoded the DEM
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Lesson 1.3 Generating Orthorectified Images
Lesson 1.3
Generating Orthorectified Images

Set up for orthorectification Orthorectify two RADARSAT-1 scenes
This lesson describes how to set up and perform orthorectification. For this lesson you require: The radar.prj file for the two radar scenes The orangedem.pix digital elevation model
Data correction
Orthorectification is the process of using a rigorous math model and a digital elevation model (DEM) to correct distortions in raw images, as shown in Figure1-10. The rigorous math models, such as the Aerial Photography or Satellite Orbital math models, provide a method for calculating the position and orientation of the sensor at the time when the image was taken. The DEM is a raster of terrain elevations. The quality of the orthorectified image is directly related to the quality of the rigorous math model and the DEM. A poorly computed math model, an inaccurate DEM, or a DEM incorrectly georeferenced to the math model will cause errors in the orthorectified images.
Figure 1-10:
Using sensor geometry and a DEM to orthorectify imagery
When working with the Radar Specific model, ground control points (GCPs) are optional. Without GCPs, the model is calculated according to the satellites positioning information. The addition of ground control points, although not necessary, will refine the model and improve its accuracy. This means, however,
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that as long as you have a DEM, or have extracted a DEM from stereo radar images, you can still orthorectify your radar data without any ground control.
Setting up for orthorectification

The Ortho Image Production window lets you set up and schedule the ortho production. Several images may be selected and processed in a single step.
To set up the images:

1. On the OrthoEngine window, in the Processing step list, select Ortho Generation. The Ortho Generation toolbar appears.
Figure 1-11:
Ortho Generation toolbar
2. On the Ortho Generation toolbar, click Schedule ortho generation. The Ortho Image Production window opens.
Figure 1-12:
Ortho Image Production window
3. Under Available Images, use the SHIFT key to select both images and click the arrow button to move the images under Images to process. The images are processed in the order that they are listed. 4. Under Images to Process, select std2. By default, the ortho image will be named ostd2.pix. You may type a different file name in the Ortho Image section File field.
To select and load the DEM:

1. In the Ortho Generation Options section, under DEM, click Browse.
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2. From the Radar Data folder, select orangedem.pix and click Open. The DEM File Window opens. 3. For the Background elevation, enter -3. This represents the No Data pixels in the DEM. For DEMs generated by OrthoEngine, the background elevation defaults to -150. Other DEMs may have different background elevation values that you must know before they can be used. If you do not know the background value, click DEM Info in the DEM File window. The window displays the three lowest and three highest values in the DEM. 4. For Datum, select Mean Sea Level. The DEM will be automatically converted from mean sea level to ellipsoid. 5. Click OK.
Selecting the Processing Options

Working Cache
The Working Cache is the maximum amount of RAM that you allocate for the ortho production process. The limit should not involve more than 50% of the RAM available on your system. Specifying more than half may significantly reduce performance. The Sampling Interval controls how the computations are performed when an image is orthorectified or geometrically corrected. When an image is corrected, OrthoEngine selects a pixel from the output file, computes the elevation from the DEM (if available), applies the math model to determine which pixel location it corresponds to in the raw image, then transfers the data to the pixel in the output file. The Sampling Interval determines how many output pixels are computed following this method. A Sampling Interval of 1 means that the position of every output pixel is processed. To speed up the process, increase the Sampling Interval; OrthoEngine will then compute the correction for some pixels and interpolate those in between. Note that this sampling interval interpolates the position of the pixels, not the intensity of the pixels. Resampling extracts and interpolates the gray levels from the original pixel locations to corrected locations. There are several resampling methods available, including four filters for working with radar data. The choice of resampling method often depends on the objective of your orthorectified output. Nearest-neighbor should be used to create corrected images for texture analysis, segmentation, and classification because it retains variations in gray levels due to SAR speckle. Select a radar filter to correct images for intensity analysis. Radiometric Terrain Correction allows you to correct or reduce some of the radiometric distortion inherent in SAR imagery due to mountains, hills and other sloping terrain features. The Radiometric Terrain Correction uses the DEM and math model to restore the radiometric uniformity to the image. OrthoEngine converts the digital pixel values to radar backscatter (sigma-0) values, and then corrects them for the radiometric terrain effect. The correction relies on the accuracy of the DEM and math model.
Sampling Interval
Resampling
Radiometric Terrain Correction
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Land Cover Correction
The Land Cover Correction is an experimental algorithm designed to compensate for the scattering of the radar signal due to the texture and composition of the surface, particularly for areas with uniform vegetation. The amount of Land Cover Correction is controlled by a coefficient (exponent) ranging between 0 and 2.0. Coefficient values between 0.5 and 1.0 produce the best results for most images. Since the results depend on the sensor, the beam mode, and the image, finding the best result for your project will involve some experimentation.
Filter Size
The Filter Size parameter controls the size of the kernel by specifying the number of pixels (width) in the X box and the number of lines (length) in the Y box. Different filter sizes greatly affect the quality of the processed images. If the filter is too small, the noise filtering algorithm is not effective. If the filter is too large, subtle details of the image are lost in the filtering process. The minimum size for the kernel is 3x3 pixels. A 7x7 kernel usually gives the best results. Note that the Filter Size parameter becomes enabled when a filter is applied during resampling. The radar images are supplied in one of two Image Formats: Power or Amplitude. Power is the sum of the squares of the real and imaginary values of the complex pixel values in the radar image. Amplitude is the square root of Power. Most radar images are supplied in the Amplitude format to preserve the values. You identify the format used with your images in the Image Format list. Note that the Image Format is only valid when a Radar Specific filter is applied during resampling. You use the Number of Looks to estimate noise variance and to control the amount of smoothing applied to the image. In theory, the correct value for the Number of Looks should be the effective number of looks of the input radar image, or close to the actual number. Using a smaller value for the Number of Looks leads to more smoothing, and a larger value preserves more image features. In this example, you will perform the orthorectification and also apply the Gamma filter. The resulting image could then be used for intensity analysis.
Image Format
Number of Looks
Tip
Filtering should be performed during the correction step to avoid multiple resampling of the data, which can degrade and reduce interpretability of the imagery.
To select the Processing Options:

1. Under Processing Options, specify the Working Cache appropriate for your computer. Specify no more than half the RAM available on your system. 2. Specify a Sampling Interval of 2. When using a DEM with a lower resolution than the input image, set the Sampling Interval to the equivalent of one DEM pixel. 3. For the Resampling method, select Radar Gamma Filter. 4. Select the Radiometric Correction option. 5. For the Filter Size, enter a value of 7 for both the X and Y parameters.
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6. For the Image Format, select Amp. 7. For the No. of Looks, select 4. The Image Format and the Number of Looks of the radar image are usually recorded on the CD jacket or in the format specifications provided by the data vendor.
Figure 1-13:
Ortho Image Production window with parameters
Now that you have entered all the necessary parameters, you can generate the ortho images.
Orthorectifying the RADARSAT-1 scenes

To generate the ortho images:
1. Click Generate Orthos. The Ortho Production Progress monitor window opens and shows the status of the orthorectification process for each image. After all the orthos are generated, the following message appears: All Processing Completed.
Figure 1-14:
Ortho production progress monitor
2. Click Close. The message Ortho done appears beside each image in the Available Images section, indicating that the original images are now orthorectified. PCI Geomatics 1-21
Tip
This is a good time to save your project file.
To view the orthorectified image:

1. From the File menu on the OrthoEngine window, select Image View. The File Selector window opens. 2. From the Radar Data folder, select ostd2.pix and click Open. A viewer opens displaying the orthorectified and radiometric terrain corrected image. Note the large No Data areas in the image due to layover.
Figure 1-15:
Viewer displaying orthorectified std2.pix file
In generating the orthos, you selected the Radiometric Correction option. The output orthorectified images are in units of sigma nought (radiometrically calibrated), have the radiometric terrain correction applied, and are now stored in 32-bit channels. Now that you have corrected your radar images and applied a SAR filter to remove speckle, your data can be used for the statistical analysis or modeling of SAR reflectivity. In the modules that follow, you will examine additional tools in Geomatica for extracting calibrated backscatter values and applying radiometric enhancements.
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In this lesson you:

Set up for orthorectification Orthorectified two RADARSAT-1 scenes
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Calibrating your data

Module 2 has one lesson:
Lesson 2.1
Module
Extracting a calibrated backscatter image
Radiometric calibration
Calibration is the process whereby the digital values of a received remotely sensed image can be related to physical quantities of the scene, such as brightness (reflectivity), phase and location. The goal of radiometric calibration is to account for all of the contributions in the radiometric values which are not due to target characteristics, so that the backscatter values of targets can be compared to one another or a reference. Most data products are radiometrically calibrated by the data supplier prior to being distributed. The last step in processing is the application of look-up tables (LUTs) during calibration from floating point data to digital numbers (DN) to ensure the best use of the 8 or 16 bits on storage media. These look-up tables apply a fixed offset and a range-dependent gain function to the data prior to generating the final image output. The scaling used can vary for each scene, making it difficult to directly relate information between scenes (that is, radiometric and temporal signatures). The look-up tables are provided with the data and are used by Geomatica to extract the calibrated image. Proper SAR processing should first convert pixel values (DNs) to sigma-0, then use that for any further analysis. Geomatica has tools for converting from DNs to both beta-0 and sigma-0.
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SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 2: Calibrating your data
Lesson 2.1
Extracting a calibrated backscatter image

Generate a backscatter image
Radar brightness
The SARBETA algorithm generates a radar brightness channel from both RADARSAT and ASAR data. This brightness channel allows comparison within and between radar scenes by inverting scaling and offsets applied during processing. This reverts the data to its calibrated form and outputs the data as brightness values (beta nought). Radar brightness is a measure of the total energy returned from an area on the ground projected into a given image pixel (similar to radiance in optical imaging). The use of brightness tends to be somewhat limited to purists who may want to look at the data in this form possibly to verify sensor calibration and performance.
Radar backscatter
The SARSIGM algorithm is used to revert commercially processed SAR data to its calibrated radar backscatter component. It uses the orbit, offset, and scaling segment created during data input, and, for RADARSAT data, the incidence angle segment created by SARINCD, to produce a 32-bit real image which is radiometrically calibrated and which more accurately represents the original signal amplitudes (sigma nought). SARSIGMA calculates sigma nought, which is the measure of the strength of radar signals backscattered towards the radar antenna from a distributed scatterer, usually expressed in dB. It is a measure of the SAR reflectivity of terrain (similar to reflectance in optical imaging). It is a dimensionless number, giving the mean backscatter from an area of one square meter on the surface of the Earth. Sigma nought is dependent on the properties of the scatterer (ground cover) and usually varies significantly with incident angle, radar, or wavelength, and polarization. SARSIGM assumes flat terrain and should be applied to images with flat terrain before further processing. For RADARSAT images, SARINCD must be run before SARSIGM to create the incident angle array segment. For supported ASAR images it is automatically created on import.
Incident angles
SARINCD produces a table of incident angles that correspond to the table of gain scaling values produced when an image is read using CDSAR. The incident angle is the angle between the line of sight from the radar to an element of an imaged scene, and a vertical direction characteristic of the scene.
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Lesson 2.1 Extracting a calibrated backscatter image
Incident angle is the most important parameter describing the relative geometry between the radar and the observed scene.
Note
SARINCD is not required for ENVISAT ASAR images. CDASAR extracts incident angle information from the ESA-format image and stores it in the Incidence Angle segment.
Up to this point, you have been using the SAR-specific tools available in OrthoEngine. In this lesson you will access SAR processing tools available through the Algorithm Librarian in Focus.
Starting Geomatica
Windows systems To start Geomatica on Windows systems:
1. From the Start menu, select: All Programs > PCI Geomatics > Geomatica Vx.x > Geomatica The Geomatica Toolbar and a Focus window open.
Unix systems
To start Geomatica on Unix systems:

1. Enter the Unix environment. 2. At the command prompt, type geomatica. The Geomatica Toolbar and a Focus window open.
Figure 2-1:
Geomatica Toolbar
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Figure 2-2:
Focus window
To open std6.pix in Focus:

1. From the Focus File menu, select Open. A File Selection window opens. 2. Locate and open the Radar Data folder. 3. Select std6.pix and click Open. A Question window opens asking if you would like the image displayed North Up or Raster Up. 4. Select North Up and click OK. The standard beam 6 RADARSAT-1 image is displayed in the view area so that North is at the top of the viewer.
To open the SARINCD algorithm:

1. From the Tools menu, select Algorithm Librarian. The Algorithm Librarian window opens.
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Figure 2-3:
Algorithm Librarian
2. Expand the Radar Analysis folder. The tree expands to display a series of subfolders. 3. In the Radar Analysis category, expand the SAR Radar Analysis folder. A list of SAR processing algorithms is displayed. 4. Double-click the SARINCD algorithm. The SARINCD Module control panel opens.
Figure 2-4:
SARINCD Module control panel
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To set up the Input Ports for SARINCD:

1. In the Input Ports section of the Files tab, click the + beside InputOrbit: Satellite Orbital Ephemeris Layer. The tree expands to show the array segments in std6.pix. 2. Select orbit segment 2: CDSAR Orbital Ephemeris Data. 3. Click the + beside InputSAROffset: SAR Offset Layer. 4. Select the array segment 3: SAR Offset. Now that you have specified the Input Ports, you will specify the Output Ports.
To select the Output Ports and run SARINCD:

1. For OutputIncAngle: SAR Incident Angle Layer in the Output Ports section, select the Untitled.pix check box. 2. Right-click Untitled.pix and click Browse. A File Selector window opens. 3. Locate the Radar Data folder and select std6.pix and click Save. The array segment of incident angles will be saved as a new layer in std6.pix. 4. Click Run. A Progress Monitor opens on your desktop. When the algorithm has finished executing, close the SARINCD Module Control Panel. Now that the array of incident angles has been created, you will use this information to generate the calibrated backscatter image.
To set up the Input Ports for SARSIGM:

1. From the Algorithm Librarian, double-click SARSIGM. The SARSIGM Module control panel opens.
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Figure 2-5:
SARSIGM Module control panel
2. In the Input Ports section of the Files tab, click the + beside Input Layer(s). 3. From std6.pix, select channel 1: CDSAR BSQ Band 1. 4. Click the + beside SAR Offset Layer. The tree expands to show the array segments in std6.pix. 5. Select array segment 3: SAR Offset. 6. Click the + beside SAR Gain Layer and select array segment 4: SAR Gain. 7. Click the + beside SAR Incident Angle Layer and select array segment 6: SAR Incident Angle. 8. Click the + beside Satellite Orbital Ephemeris Layer and select segment 2: CDSAR Orbital Ephemeris Data. 9. Click the + beside GCP Layer and select segment 5: GCPs from the Orbit segment. Now that you have specified the Input Ports, you will specify the Output Ports. The Viewer-Grayscale option is selected by default.
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To select the Output Ports:

1. For the Backscatter Image Layer, select the Untitled.pix check box. 2. Right-click Untitled.pix and click Browse. A File Selector window opens. 3. Locate the Radar Data folder. 4. For the File name, type std6_backscatter.pix. 5. Click Save. The path and file name are updated in the SARSIGM Module Control Panel.
Note
If a path for the output file is not specified, the file is saved in the user folder.
6. Click the + beside Satellite Orbital Ephemeris Layer. 7. Select the Untitled2.pix check box and copy and paste the path and file name specified above. The ephemeris data will be written to a new layer within the std6_backscatter.pix file. 8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the GCP Layer. The GCPs will be written to a new layer within the std6_backscatter.pix file.
Image format
There are three formats in which the radar values can be stored: amplitude, decibels, and power. Amplitude values (where amplitude equals the square root of the radar backscatter coefficient) have a positive range of real values. Decibel (dB) values are a logarithmic scaling of power (sigma nought). Decibels produce a range of real numbers that may include negative and positive values. Power values (where power equals the radar backscatter) have a positive range of values and are the square of amplitude.
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To set the input parameters and run the SARSIGM algorithm:

1. In the SARSIGM Module control panel, click the Input Params 1 tab. 2. For the Amplitude, Decibels or Power parameter, select POW. The calibrated backscatter image will be output to power values. 3. Click Run. A Progress Monitor opens on your desktop. 4. Click OK. The new file is created and appears in the Focus view area and is listed in both the Maps and Files trees. You can now close the SARSIGM Module control panel. You have now generated a new file with a 32-bit layer containing calibrated radar backscatter data.
Tip
See Appendix A for information on converting the format of radar values.
In this lesson you:

Generated a backscatter image
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Applying radiometric enhancements

Module 3 has two lessons:
Lesson 3.1 Lesson 3.2
Module
Applying SAR speckle filters Computing SAR texture measures
Radiometric enhancements
The goal of radiometric enhancements is to improve the interpretation of the radiometric information in an image using speckle and spatial filters. These filters can reduce speckle, detect edges, analyze texture, and visually enhance the image. Image variance, or speckle, is a granular noise that is inherent in SAR imagery. Speckle gives a grainy, salt and pepper appearance and is the dominating factor in radar imagery. Speckle filters are primarily used on radar data to remove high-frequency noise (speckle), while preserving high-frequency features (edges). Texture is one of the important characteristics used to identify objects or regions of interest in an image. Unlike spectral features, which describe the average tonal variation in the various bands of an image, textural features contain information about the spatial distribution of tonal variations within a band.
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SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 3: Applying radiometric enhancements
Lesson 3.1
Applying SAR speckle filters

Filter an image using different SAR adaptive filters
SAR speckle filters
Coherent signal scattering in SAR data often causes image speckle or salt-andpepper effects. Speckle is inherent in most SAR images, and can inhibit accurate image interpretation. There are several types of speckle filters. They fall into two general categories: non-adaptive and adaptive. With non-adaptive filters, the parameters of the whole image are considered. They do not take into account the local properties of terrain backscatter or the nature of the sensor. Examples of non-adaptive filters are the Mean, Median, Edge Detection, and Sieve filters. Adaptive filters accommodate changes in local properties of the terrain backscatter. They modify the image based on statistics extracted from the local environment of each pixel. The main advantage of adaptive filters is that they maintain an accurate estimate of the backscattering coefficient inside homogeneous (stationary) areas while preserving edge and texture structure in nonstationary scenes. Examples of adaptive filters are the Frost, Lee, Gamma and Touzi filters. Adaptive filters are designed specifically for SAR images. The ideal speckle-reduction filter will reduce the speckle but have minimal loss of information. The filter should preserve radiometric information in homogeneous areas and preserve radiometric information and spatial signal variability (textural information) in textured areas. FSPEC (SAR Speckle Filters) is an algorithm that lets you select which SAR speckle filter you wish to apply to your data. It allows you to select from many SAR speckle filters in a single panel. The filter algorithms require that the signal represents power. If the input image is in amplitude format, each gray level will be squared to derive power and, finally, the square root will be applied to the filtered result. In this lesson, you will apply and compare several adaptive SAR speckle filters.
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Lesson 3.1 Applying SAR speckle filters
Enhanced Frost filter
With the Frost filter, the unspeckled pixel value is estimated for each pixel by computing the weighted sum of the center pixel value, the mean value, and the variance calculated in a circular kernel surrounding the pixel. The enhanced Frost filter minimizes the loss of radiometric and textural information.
To open the FSPEC algorithm:

1. From the Tools menu select the Algorithm Librarian. The Algorithm Librarian opens. 2. Expand the Radar Analysis folder. 3. Expand the SAR Speckle Filtering folder. The folder expands to show all of the available SAR speckle filters. 4. Double-click the FSPEC algorithm. The FSPEC Module control panel opens.
To set up the input ports for FSPEC:

1. In the Input Ports section of the Files tab, click the + beside Unfiltered Layer(s). 2. Select the Calibrated Radar Backscatter layer from the std6_backscatter.pix file. Now that you have specified the input, you will configure the Output Port. The Viewer options is selected by default.
To select the Output Ports for FSPEC:

1. For the Output: Filter Layer(s), select the Untitled.pix check box. 2. Right-click Untitled.pix and click Browse. A File Selector window opens. 3. Locate the Radar Data folder. 4. For the File name, type efrost.pix. 5. Click Save. The path and file name are updated in the FSPEC Module control panel.
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Figure 3-1:
FSPEC Module control panel for Enhanced Frost filter
To set the input parameters and run FSPEC:

1. Click the Input Params 1 tab. The input parameters for the algorithm are displayed. 2. For Image Type, select POW. Image Type specifies the image format of the radar image. AMP is in amplitude format while POW is in power format. 3. For Filter Type, select Enhanced Frost. 4. Select a Filter X size of 7. 5. Select a Filter Y size of 7. The filter kernel size will be 7x7 pixels. 6. For the Number of Looks, enter 4. 7. Accept the Damping Factor value of 1.
Note
You must enter correct parameters for the image files you are working with. The number of looks and the image type information is available in the format definition included with your data.
8. Click Run. The Enhanced Frost filter runs and the results are shown in the Focus viewer.
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Lesson 3.1 Applying SAR speckle filters
Gamma filter
The Gamma filter assumes that the (unspeckled) intensity of the underlying scene is gamma-distributed. The filter minimizes the loss of texture information better than the Frost and Lee filters within gamma-distributed scenes. The Gamma filter is suitable for a wide range of gamma-distributed scenes, such as forested areas, agricultural areas, and oceans.
To apply the Gamma Filter:

1. In the FSPEC Module control panel, click the Files tab. 2. Right-click efrost.pix and click Browse. 3. Locate the Radar Data folder. 4. For the File name, type gamma.pix. 5. Click Save. The path and file name are updated in the FSPEC Module control panel. 6. Click the Input Params 1 tab. The input parameters for the algorithm are displayed.
Figure 3-2:
FSPEC input parameters
7. For Image Type, select POW. 8. For Filter Type, select Gamma. 9. Select a Filter X size and a Filter Y size of 7. The filter kernel size will be 7x7 pixels. 10. For the Number of Looks, enter 4. 11. Click Run. The Gamma filter runs and the results are displayed in the Focus view area.
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Touzi filter
Unlike other filters, the Touzi filter adapts the size and shape of the filter processing window to signal nonstationarity. It also has a multi-resolution ratio edge detector for better filtering of contours and edges. This is effective when applied to fine structures such as roads and trails which are generally smoothed out by other filters.
To apply a Touzi Filter:

1. In the FSPEC Module Control panel, click the Files tab. 2. Right-click gamma.pix and click Browse. 3. Locate the Radar Data folder. 4. For the File name, type touzi.pix. 5. Click Save. The path and file name are updated in the FSPEC Module control panel. 6. In the FSPEC Module control panel, click the Input Params 1 tab. The input parameters for the algorithm are displayed. 7. For Image Type, select POW. 8. For Filter Type, select Touzi. 9. Select a Filter X size and a Filter Y size of 11. The filter kernel size will be 11x11 pixels. 10. For the Number of Looks, enter 4. 11. For the Contour Threshold, type 0.5. 12. For the Edge Threshold, type 0.5. 13. For the Gradient Threshold, type 0.1. 14. Click Run. The Touzi filter runs and the results are displayed in the Focus viewer. You can compare the three SAR speckle filtered images in Focus to evaluate which one produces the best results for your purpose.
In this lesson you:

Filtered an image using different SAR adaptive filters
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Lesson 3.2 Computing SAR texture measures
Lesson 3.2
Computing SAR texture measures

Calculate SAR-specific texture measures
SARTEX
SARTEX creates a set of texture images from a single channel in an input image. The radar-specific measures are based on pixel value statistics in a window surrounding each pixel. The extracted texture measures may be used as input features to classification algorithms. SAR-specific texture measures offered by this module account for radar image formation and statistical properties of radar speckle. Therefore it is essential that no prior filtering has been performed on the input channel. Texture measures extracted by SARTEX are based on SAR-specific statistics of pixel values in the rectangular window of user-specified dimensions. They complement measures extracted in the module TEX, based on a gray level cooccurrence matrix (GLCM), and in the module HISTEX, based on histogram of pixel values in a window. The three types of measures can be combined for further analysis, such as segmentation and classification of the image. The best window size depends on image characteristics (terrain roughness, land cover type, imaging parameters). For large windows, some blocky artifacts may appear in texture images if a small, bright target is fully enclosed by the window. Therefore, small or moderate window sizes are recommended in most cases. For gentle terrain, texture analysis should be performed on the raw image without calibration to brightness. For moderate/rough terrain, it should be performed on radiometric terrain corrected orthoimages. In the latter case, it could be calculated in the raw image domain, but the texture would be contaminated by terrain effects.
To set up the SARTEX algorithm:

1. In the Algorithm Librarian, expand the SAR Radar Analysis folder. 2. Double-click the SARTEX algorithm. The SARTEX Module control panel opens.
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Figure 3-3:
SARTEX Module control panel
3. In the Input Ports section of the Files tab, click the + beside Input: Image Layer. 4. From the std6_backscatter.pix file, select Calibrated Radar Backscatter. 5. In the Output Ports section, right-click Untitled.pix file and click Browse. A File To Save window opens. 6. Locate the Radar Data folder. 7. For the File name, type sartex.pix. 8. Click Save. The path and file name are updated in the SARTEX Module control panel.
To select the input parameters and run SARTEX:

1. In the SARTEX Module control panel, click the Input Params 1 tab. SAR Texture Measure Parameters and Filter Parameters are listed.
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Lesson 3.2 Computing SAR texture measures
Figure 3-4:
SARTEX parameters
In Table 3.1, each SAR texture measure is listed with a brief explanation. Table 3.1: SAR-Specific Texture Measures Texture Measure VI Explanation This is a ratio of the mean of squared intensity to the mean intensity squared. It is applicable when pixel intensity has a Gaussian distribution. This is a ratio of mean intensity to the squared mean amplitude. It is applicable when pixel amplitude has a Gaussian distribution. This is a difference of the mean value of the squared intensity logarithm and the square of the mean intensity logarithm. It is applicable when pixel intensity has a lognormal distribution. This is a normalized log measure of texture. It approximates K distribution when the number of looks in the SAR image is large.
VA
VL
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2. For the SAR Texture Measurement Parameter, select VI. 3. For the Filter X Size, select 5. 4. For the Filter Y Size, select 5. 5. For Image Format, select POW. It is important to select the correct image format for the input layer. Any required conversion are performed internally to use the correct values for each computed texture measure. 6. Click Run. A Progress Monitor opens on your desktop. When the algorithm has finished executing, the results are displayed in the Focus view area and you can close the TEX Module control panel. If you like, try calculating another SAR texture measure and compare it to the VI measure.
Tip
To solve a specific problem (distinguishing between several land cover types for example), the usual approach is to compute all texture measures and use the measure that provides the best result.
In this lesson you:

Calculated SAR-specific texture measures
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Classifying SAR data

Module 4 has two lessons:
Lesson 4.1 Lesson 4.2
Module
4
Segmenting SAR data Classifying SAR data
Classification of SAR data
The classification of SAR data using standard classification algorithms developed for the multispectral classification of optical data does not usually yield successful results because of the heavy speckle affecting SAR imagery. The SARSEG and SARCLASS algorithms are used together to segment the SAR image into regions of similar mean backscatter values. Region-based classification is then performed by the SARCLASS algorithm, based on a set of training regions for each class.
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SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 4: Classifying SAR data
Lesson 4.1
Segmenting SAR data

Downsample the RADARSAT-1 image to the sensor resolution Segment the downsampled image
SARSEG
SARSEG segments images into regions and is meant to be used in conjunction with SARCLASS to classify SAR images. The input to SARSEG is a 32R image channel. The input channel should contain SAR backscatter values in the power or intensity scaling. For some images, the amplitude scaling may also work well. No pixel value conversions are applied in SARSEG. The resolution of the input image should correspond to the physical resolution of the sensor on the ground, as opposed to the pixel size of the standard (oversampled) SAR image products. The output of SARSEG is in two channels in one file. The 16U channel labels each pixel using the ID of the region containing the pixel, and the 32R channel sets each pixel to the value of its region mean. The output channels are intended to be used as inputs for the module SARCLASS. SARCLASS assigns individual regions to one of several classes, based on a set of training regions for each class. Because the resolution of the input image should correspond to the physical resolution of the sensor rather than to the pixel size, you will begin by downsampling the std6_backscatter.pix file.
To downsample the input image:

1. From the Tools menu, select the Algorithm Librarian. The Algorithm Librarian opens. 2. Expand the Image Processing folder. 3. Expand the Image Operations folder. 4. Double-click the RESAMP algorithm. The RESAMP Module control panel opens.
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Lesson 4.1 Segmenting SAR data
Figure 4-1:
RESAMP Module control panel
To set up the input ports for RESAMP:

In the Input Ports section of the Files tab, select all four segments from the std6_backscatter.pix file. This will resample the Calibrated Radar Backscatter layer and transfer the georeferencing segment, the orbital information and the GCPs to the new output file. Now that you have specified the input, you will configure the Output Port. The Viewer option is selected by default.
To set up the Output Ports for RESAMP:

1. In the Output Ports section of the Files tab, select the Untitled.pix check box. 2. Right-click Untitled.pix and click Browse. A File Selector window opens. 3. Locate the Radar Data folder, enter the File name std6_resamp.pix and click Save. The path and file name are updated in the RESAMP Module control panel.
Note
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To set the input parameters and run RESAMP:

1. Click the Input Params 1 tab. The input parameters for the algorithm are displayed.
Figure 4-2:
RESAMP input parameters
2. For both the Output Pixel X and Y Size, enter 25. This is the actual resolution of the sensor. 3. For the Resample Method, select Average. The input pixel values are averaged to create the new layer at lower resolution. 4. Click Run. The RESAMP algorithm runs and the results are displayed in the Focus viewer. Close the RESAMP Module control panel.
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One of the output channels from SARSEG is a 16-bit unsigned channel that labels each pixel by the ID of the region to which it belongs. This means there is a maximum of 65,535 regions, or segments, that can be created. For this reason, you will work with a subset of the downsampled backscatter image.
To open the SARSEG algorithm:

1. In the Algorithm Librarian, expand the Radar Analysis folder. 2. Expand the SAR Radar Analysis folder. 3. Double-click the SARSEG algorithm. The SARSEG Module control panel opens.
Figure 4-3:
SARSEG Module control panel
To set up the input ports for SARSEG:

1. To specify the Input file, position the mouse pointer over the Files list, rightclick Browse, and select the file std6_resamp_sub.pix. 2. In the Input Ports section of the Files tab, click the + beside Input Image Channel. 3. From the std6_resamp_sub.pix file, select the layer Subset from std6_resamp. Now that you have specified the input, you will configure the Output Port. The Viewer-Grayscale options are selected by default.
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To select the output ports for SARSEG:

1. For the Output Regions Means, select the Untitled.pix check box. 2. Right-click Untitled.pix and click Browse. A File Selector window opens. 3. Locate the Radar Data folder and select the std6_resamp_sub.pix file and click Save. The path and file name are updated in the SARSEG Module Control Panel. The Region Means will be written to a 32R layer within the std6_resamp_sub.pix file. 4. For the Output Region IDs, select the Untitled.pix check box and copy and paste the path and file name specified above. The Region IDs layer will be written to a new 16U layer within the std6_resamp_sub.pix file.
To set the Input Parameters and run SARSEG:

Figure 4-4:
SARSEG input parameters
2. For the Maximum Number of Iterations, enter 10. By default, the algorithm executes until the total standard deviation of the image stops decreasing. By setting this parameter, the algorithm will stop after the number of specified iterations 3. For the Edge Detection Threshold, use the default value of 4.6.
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Increasing this value will decrease the number of accepted edges, therefore decreasing the total number of regions found in the image. 4. For the Sobel Filter Edge Selection Threshold, use the default value of 2.0. This specifies the threshold used to select edge pixels after the Sobel filter stage. Increasing this value will decrease the number of accepted edges, therefore decreasing the total number of regions found in the image. 5. For Do Small Region Detection, select YES. This will create many regions of only one or two pixels, likely producing slightly better results. However, due to limitations of a 16U channel, a maximum of 65535 regions can be created. Not performing Small Region Detection will dramatically reduce the number of segments created. 6. For the Region Merging Sieving Threshold, use the default value of 0. This is the size in pixels of the smallest region not to be merged into a neighbor. This parameter will decrease the total number of regions, but will result in the loss of some small but potentially distinct targets. By setting this value to 1 or lower, region merging will not be performed. 7. Click Run. The SARSEG algorithm runs and the results are displayed in the Focus viewer.
In this lesson you:

Downsampled the Radarsat image to the sensor resolution Segmented the downsampled image
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Lesson 4.2
Classifying SAR data

Create a point vector layer containing training sites Classify the segmented RADARSAT-1 image
SARCLASS
SARCLASS classifies homogeneous image regions defined for a SAR image, based on the image values within each segment. A supervised classification is performed, with the required classes provided as parameters to SARCLASS. Each region is assigned to a class or left unclassified, depending on the input parameters. All pixels of all regions assigned to a given class are marked as "on" bits in the output bitmap corresponding to this class. The input file for SARCLASS is an output file from SARSEG or other segmentation algorithm. It must contain an image layer and a layer with unique region IDs. If SAR classification is requested, the image layer is assumed to contain positive SAR intensity or radar backscatter values, and no pixel value conversion is performed. For the purpose of SARCLASS, the suitable estimates of radar cross section are: pixel intensity (power); calibrated radar brightness beta-0; radar backscatter sigma-0; and radar backscatter gamma-0. The classification in SARCLASS is performed on a per-region basis, as opposed to the standard per-pixel classification. This means that classification measures dependent on pixel value histograms within regions (median, mode) cannot be used. Moreover, such parameters are not applicable to SAR images. Two classification measures supported in SARCLASS are a SAR-specific measure, and a region mean. Before you perform the classification of the segmented radar image, you must collect training information.
Collecting Training Sites

Training information for SARCLASS is provided in the form of training points in a point layer. Each point collected in an image represents a given class, and has a corresponding class name entered in the field (attribute) column. Up to 10 classes may be specified explicitly when setting up to run SARCLASS, or up to 20 may be specified implicitly by specifying the appropriate attribute field. Points with a blank or NoData value will be ignored. You must collect at least one point per training class; it is recommended that you provide several training points for each class.
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Lesson 4.2 Classifying SAR data
To create a point vector layer:

1. In a Focus window, open the std6_resamp_sub.pix file. 2. In the Maps tree, right-click New Area and select New Vector Layer. The New Vector Layer window opens. 3. For the Layer Type, select Point. 4. For the Georeferencing, select Use Layer Georeferencing and click OK. The New Point Layer is listed in the Maps tree.
To define the attributes for the first set of points:

1. In the Maps tree, right-click the New Point Layer and select Attribute Manager. The Attribute Manager opens. 2. From the Field menu, select Add New. The Table Definition window opens. 3. In the Name column, double-click Field4 and type Class_Name. 4. Ensure the Data type is Text. 5. For the Default Value, replace NoData with urban. By default, the first set of points will have a Class Name of urban. 6. Click OK.
To collect points for the class:

1. On the Editing toolbar, click the New Shapes arrow and click Point. 2. In the Focus view area, collect points in the image that represent urban areas.
To define the attributes for the remaining classes:

1. In the Attribute Manager window, from the Edit menu, select Table Definition. 2. Select the Class_Name field. 3. For the Default Value, replace urban with smooth. By default, the next set of points will have a Class Name of smooth. 4. Click OK. 5. Repeat these steps to collect sample points for forest/mtn, water and agriculture. 6. In the Maps tree, right-click the point layer and save it to the std6_resamp_sub.pix file. Now that you have collected training data from the segmented image, you can now perform the classification.
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To set up the SARCLASS algorithm:

1. Open the Algorithm Librarian. 2. From within the SAR Radar Analysis folder, double-click the SARCLASS algorithm. The SARCLASS Module control panel opens.
Figure 4-5:
SARCLASS Module control panel
3. In the Input Ports section of the Files tab, click the + beside Input Image Channel. 4. From the std6_resamp_sub.pix file, select the Subset from std6_resamp layer. 5. For the Input Region Numbers Channel, select the sarseg: region IDs layer. 6. For the Training Point Layer, select the New Point Layer. Now that you have specified the input, you will configure the Output Port. One output bitmap will be created for each class that is defined. The Viewer option is selected by default.
To select the output ports for SARCLASS:

1. For the Output Bitmaps, select the Untitled.pix check box. 2. Right-click Untitled.pix and click Browse. A File Selector window opens. 3. Locate the Radar Data folder. 4. For the File name, type std6_sarclass.pix. 5. Click Save. The path and file name are updated in the SARCLASS Module control panel.
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Lesson 4.2 Classifying SAR data
To set the input parameters and run SARCLASS:

Figure 4-6:
SARCLASS parameters
2. For the Field Name, enter Class_Name. 3. For the Classification Measure, select SAR. The SAR specific measure is a Maximum Likelihood classifier, which calculates the probability of a region belonging to a given class. With the SAR measure, all training regions must have their mean value greater than zero. For the MEAN classification measure, a region is assigned to the class which has its mean closest to the region's mean. 4. For the Classification Threshold, enter 1.0. This specifies the classification measure threshold that each region must meet to be assigned to a class. It also implicitly controls the creation of the "zero class" of unclassified pixels. All input regions are classified, unless a threshold is specified. Practical values range from 0.5 to 1.5, but will depend on the image and the classification measure. 5. For the Report Mode, select SARCLASS.RPT. 6. For the Classification Report Type, select LONG. This provides detailed statistics of all training and classified regions, grouped by class. 7. Click Run. The SARCLASS algorithm runs and the results are displayed in the Focus viewer.
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In this lesson you:

Created a point vector layer containing training sites Classified the segmented Radarsat image
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Working with the SAR Polarimetry Workstation

Module
Creating a PCIDSK file from a Polsar dataset Applying SAR Filters in Focus Using the SAR Polarimetry Target Analysis tool
Polarimetry fundamentals
The study of polarimetry refers to the science behind and the techniques relating to the analysis of the polarimetric properties of electromagnetic waves, and the scatterers of these waves. When four polarization combinations are used in orthogonal pairs, the complete scattering properties of radar scatter can be determined for a specific frequency, incidence angle, and azimuth direction. The extraction of information such as terrain classification is an important component of polarimetry. In single polarized images, the return is proportional to the target crosssection. The amount of return that the radar system gets is dependent on the target, the orientation of the target as well as the radar system, and the polarization. Most natural targets scatter the radar signal and give a large return in HV, whereas most artificial targets only give large returns in HH and VV, since a majority of these targets are bright in nature.
Polarimetry applications
There are numerous advantages of using polarimetric data for image analysis. Agricultural applications include crop type identification, crop condition monitoring, and soil moisture measurement. Forestry applications include biomass estimation and species identification. Other applications of polarimetric data include geology, hydrography, oceanography and costal zone mapping.
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SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 5: Working with the SAR Polarimetry Workstation
SAR Polarimetry Workstation components

The SAR Polarimetry Workstation (SPW) is organized into two parts: 1. Cloude-Pottier Class Boundary Definition (CBDT) tool 2. SAR Polarimetry Target Analysis (SPTA) tool
The Cloude-Pottier Class Boundary Definition Tool (CBDT)

The Cloude-Pottier CBDT tool allows users to define class boundaries within the Cloude-Pottier feature space: alpha angle (a), and entropy (H) and anisotropy (A). The alpha angle represents the type of scattering (0 represents surface scattering, 45 represents volume scattering, and 90 represents a corner reflection). Entropy represents the randomness of the scattering (0 signifies that features are characterized by a single scattering mechanism, and 1 represents a random mixture of scattering mechanisms). Anisotropy is used to distinguish between different types of surface scattering, where 0 represents an equal probability of any type of scattering, and 1 represents a high probability of a dominant scattering mechanism. The class boundaries defined by the Cloude-Pottier CBDT are cubes within this feature space. The class boundaries may be saved to a text file that can be read in by the Cloude-Pottier classification algorithm (PSCLOPOT).
Starting the Cloude-Pottier Class Boundary Definition Tool
To start the Cloude-Pottier CBDT:

1. From the Start menu, select: All Programs > PCI Geomatics > Geomatica Vx.x > SAR Polarimetry Workstation Vx.x > Cloude-Pottier Class Boundary Definition Tool The Cloude-Pottier Class Boundary Definition Tool window opens.
Figure 5-1:
The Cloude-Pottier CBDT window
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Cloude and Pottier (1997) grouped the different scattering mechanisms in 17 different classes, indicated by the Cloude-Pottier definition table. Classes are chosen based on a particular scattering mechanism and are not specific to a particular dataset.
To load the Cloude-Pottier table into CBDT:

1. From the File menu, select Open. From the Open PSCLOPOT Parameter File window, navigate to the Radar Data folder. 2. Locate and select the psclopot_defaultable.txt file and click Open. The CBDT window is populated with the default information.
Figure 5-2:
Cloude-Pottier CBDT window with default table information
All Cloude-Pottier classes can be grouped into eight scattering mechanisms. The first eight classes have anisotrophy values ranging from 0 to 0.5, indicating azimuthally symmetrical surfaces. The last eight classes have anisotrophy values ranging from 0.5 to 1.0, indicating features with a high probability of a dominant (one-dimensional) scattering pattern. Classes 1 & 9: Double-bounce scattering in a high-entropy scattering Classes 2 & 10: High entropy vegetation scattering (for example, forest canopy)
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Classes 3 & 11: Medium entropy multiple scattering Classes 4 & 12: Medium entropy vegetation scattering Classes 5 & 13: Medium entropy surface scattering Classes 6 & 14: Low entropy multiple scattering Classes 7 & 15: Low entropy dipole scattering Classes 8 & 16: Low entropy dipole scattering It is important to keep in mind that although there is some degree of arbitrariness in how the boundaries between these classes are defined, they are closely linked with physical scattering mechanisms, independent of the training dataset.
The SPTA tool

The SPTA tool is used to select targets or groups of pixels in a SAR image. After the targets are selected, information about the target can be extracted and the information can be displayed in both numeric and graphical format. Users can manually select targets in an image display in three different ways: pixel plus clutter, square, and arbitrary region. These target selection methods will be explored in the hands-on portion of this module. Operations on selected targets include numerical results, as well as a graphical display of histograms, 3D scatterplots, and polarimetric response plots.
Supported data products
SPW can be used to analyze the following types of polarimetric SAR data products: ASAR single-look complex (APS); Precision (APP); Ellipsoid geocoded (APG); CV-580 and X-band SAR single-look complex (SLC) and multi-look complex (MLC) AIRSAR multi-look complex (MLC) RADARSAT-2
A number of other products are supported in SPW; this is a list of the most commonly used data products. SPW can also analyze any polarimetric SAR dataset that can be imported into a PCIDSK file with polarimetric SAR-specific metadata (use PSINGEST to import a compatible dataset into a PCIDSK file).
Starting the SPTA
To start the SPTA:

1. From the Start menu, select: All Programs > PCI Geomatics > Geomatica Vx.x > SAR Polarimetry Workstation Vx.x > SAR Polarimetry Target Analysis The SAR Polarimetry Target Analysis and Target Selection windows open.
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Lesson 5.1 Creating a PCIDSK file from a Polsar dataset
Lesson 5.1
Creating a PCIDSK file from a Polsar dataset

Use Geomatica Focus to export an existing raw RADARSAT-2 data to a PCIDSK file for use in the SPTA tool
The objective of this lesson is to create a PCIDSK file for use in the SPTA tool. To create this project, you require: the product.xml file from the Flevoland folder and supporting files
Exporting the Polsar dataset to PCIDSK

To export the product.xml file:
1. In the Focus File menu, select Open. 2. Browse to the file product.xml in the Flevoland data folder. 3. Click Open. The Calibration Type window opens.
Figure 5-3: Calibration
Type window
4. Select Calibration Type: Sigma Nought and click OK. The Raster Display Option window opens, presenting the options of displaying the raster with georeferencing from the file, or from a math model. 5. Select File, and click OK. A message window appears, asking if you wish to display the raster North Up or Raster Up. 6. Select North Up, and click OK. The file is displayed in Focus. 7. From the Files tree, right-click the product.xml file to display the context menu, and select Translate (Export) File. The Translate (Export) File window opens. 8. In the Destination file field, click Browse, then navigate to the Flevoland data folder. 9. In the File name field, type flevoland, then click Save. 10. In the Translate (Export) window, select the PIX:PCIDSK output format. 11. For the Source Layers, click the Select All button.
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All of the layers of product.xml are selected. 12. Click >Add>. The selected layers from the product.xml file are transferred to the Destination Layers section of the Translate (Export) File window.
Figure 5-4: The Translate (Export) File window.
13. Click Translate. A progress bar appears, indicating that the file is being exported to PCIDSK format. 14. When the progress bar disappears, click Close to close the Translate (Export) File window.
In this lesson you:

Used Geomatica Focus to export an existing raw RADARSAT-2 data to a PCIDSK file for use in the SPTA tool.
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Lesson 5.2 Applying SAR Filters in Focus
Lesson 5.2
Applying SAR Filters in Focus

Apply a polarimetric filter to the RADARSAT-2 image
This lesson describes how to apply a specific SAR filter to the imagery.To complete this lesson you require: The file flevoland_tiled256.pix
PSBOXCAR
The PSBOXCAR algorithm applies a boxcar filter to a polarimetric SAR dataset. This filter is used to increase the effective number of looks in a single-look or multi-look dataset. This step is important for processing because the PSBOXCAR module will reduce the noise inherent in radar images, while preserving the polarimetric information. This process makes features in the imagery easier to interpret. The resulting file will be imported into the SPTA tool.
Setting up to use the PSBOXCAR algorithm:

1. From the Focus File menu, select Open. A File Selector window appears. 2. Browse to the Flevoland data folder and select the flevoland_tiled256.pix file. 3. Click Open. From the Raster Display Option window, select File, and click OK. The flevoland_tiled256.pix file is loaded in the Focus Maps tree.
Opening the PSBOXCAR algorithm:

1. From the Focus Tools menu, select Algorithm Librarian. The Algorithm Librarian opens. 2. Expand the Radar Analysis folder. 3. Expand the SAR Radar Analysis folder. 4. Select the PSBOXCAR algorithm, and click Open. The Module control panel for the PSBOXCAR algorithm opens.
Setting the parameters for the PSBOXCAR algorithm:

1. For the input channels, select all of the channels from flevoland_tiled256.pix. 2. For the output options, check the box next to Untitled.pix. 3. Right-click the Untitled.pix file and select Browse. A File Selector window opens.
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4. In the File name field, type psboxcar.pix and click Save. 5. In the Input Params1 tab, type 7 for both the Window size in X direction and Window size in Y direction. 6. Leave the Decimate Output checkbox cleared. 7. Click Run. A progress bar appears indicating that the PSBOXCAR algorithm is running on the specified image. 8. When the module runs to completion, use File > Open to open psboxcar.pix. Compare psboxcar.pix to flevoland_tiled256.pix. 9. From the Focus File menu, select Exit. A warning dialog appears, asking if you would like to save the changes to the unnamed project. 10. Click No. The psboxcar.pix file has been created. This file, along with the flevoland_tiled256.pix file, is now ready to be used in the SPTA.
In this lesson you:

Applied a polarimetric filter to the RADARSAT-2 image
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Lesson 5.3 Using the SAR Polarimetry Target Analysis tool
Lesson 5.3
Using the SAR Polarimetry Target Analysis tool

View the imagery in the SPTA Select targets Create 3D response plots View numerical output for the selected targets Analyze the response plots and numerical output
In order to complete this module, you require: The flevoland.pix file created in Lesson 5.1 The psboxcar.pix file created in Lesson 5.2
Starting the SPTA

To start the SPTA:
1. From the Start menu, select: All Programs > PCI Geomatics > Geomatica Vx.x > SAR Polarimetry Workstation Vx.x > SAR Polarimetry Target Analysis The SAR Polarimetry Target Analysis and Target Selection windows open.
Figure 5-5:
The SPTA window
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Figure 5-6: The SPTA Target Selection Window
2.
Selecting targets and creating response plots

Using the SPTA, you can calculate and display co- and cross-polarization response plots. You may use default or customized response plot display options. The response plot can be rotated within the plot window around its axes, allowing you to view it from different angles for better visualization and analysis. The rotation function becomes active only after three parameters are defined.
Selecting targets for high horizontal response:

1. From the SPTA File menu, select Open. A File Selector window opens. 2. Navigate to flevoland.pix. This is the image that will be used for target analysis. We will work with the PSBOXCAR image when we identify point targets. 3. Click Open. The Raster Display Option window appears, prompting you to select the file display option. 4. Select File, and click OK. A message window appears, asking if you wish to display the raster North Up or Raster Up.
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5. Select North Up, and click OK. The flevoland.pix file is displayed at 1:1 resolution in the Target Selection window with channels 9, 10 and 12 mapped to RGB, respectively.
Figure 5-7:
The flevoland.pix image loaded in the Target Selection window (1:1 resolution)
6. In the Target Selection window, click Zoom to Overview. 7. In the SPTA window, click the + beside Graphical Output. The Graphical Output options are displayed. 8. For the Target Selection Mode, select the Arbitrary Region option. 9. From the Shape drop-down list, select Rectangle. 10. In the Target Selection window, use your mouse to digitize a small polygon over the harbor area in the image.
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Figure 5-8:
Harbor region in the flevoland.pix image
Figure 5-9: Google maps representation of harbor area
11. In the SPTA window, from the Graphical Output options, select the Response Plot tab. 12. From the Polarization Response Plot Input parameters, select co-polarized for type, and normalized for the scaling. 13. Click Plot. The co-polarized response plot is created and opens in a new window. The values are high in the center of the plot, indicating a strong response in HHHH. This type of response is an indication of horizontal features. We also see moderately high values at the edges of the plot. Given the area that was used to create this plot, we could infer that these values are indicating the presence of ships with masts.
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Examine the co-polarized plot for the harbor area and close the plot. Evaluate their responses at 0 degrees (horizontal polarization), 90 (vertical polarization). The maximum response for this feature is received when ellipticity and orientation angles are both 0, which means linear (ellipticity=0) horizontal (orientation=0) polarization. The peak in this graph means that the harbour has a dominant scattering pattern at 0 degrees, which makes this target easier to discriminate from other features.
Figure 5-10:
Co-polarized plot for harbor region
14. In the SPTA window, click the + beside Numerical Output. The numerical output is displayed. Examine the values for the arbitrary region target (rectangle), specifically the average target pixel intensity values for HH, HV, VH and VV.
Selecting targets for high vertical response:

1. In the SPTA window, select Open from the File menu. 2. Browse to the flevoland.pix file and click Open. The SPTA prompts you to choose how you would like the raster displayed. 3. Select North Up, and click OK. The flevoland.pix image opens in the Target Selection window at 1:1 resolution. Channels 9, 10 and 12 are mapped to RGB, respectively. 4. Using the pan and zoom tools in the Target Selection window, locate a tall feature. A good example to use is the communications tower. This feature is located roughly at the following coordinates: 665218.441 E 5822239.414 N Figure 5-11 highlights the approximate area to expand in the full image.
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Figure 5-11:
Approximate zoom area
Figure 5-12:
Approximate location of the communication tower feature
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Figure 5-13: Location

of the communication tower in Google Maps.
5. From the Target Analysis window, in the Target Selection Mode, select the Square Neighbourhood option. In the Target Selection window, the pointer turns to a crosshair with a square attached to it. 6. Select the control tower feature by clicking on the feature. 7. In the SPTA window, from the Graphical Output options, select the Response Plot tab. 8. From the Polarization Response Plot Input parameters, select co-polarized for type, and normalized for the scaling. 9. Click Plot.
Figure 5-14:
Co-polarized response plot for high elevation feature
10. In the SPTA window, click the + beside Numerical Output. The numerical output is displayed. Examine the average target pixel intensity values for HH, HV, VH and VV.
Selecting features random response:

1. From the SPTA File menu, select Open. A File Selector window opens.
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2. Navigate to felvoland.pix, and click Open. The Raster Display Option window opens, presenting the options of displaying the raster with georeferencing from the file, or from a math model. 3. Select File, and click OK. A message window appears, asking if you wish to display the raster North Up or Raster Up. 4. Select North Up, and click OK. The felovland.pix file is displayed at 1:1 resolution in the Target Selection window, with channels 9, 10 and 12 mapped to RGB, respectively. 5. Map the RGB channels to 1, 2 and 3, respectively. 6. Apply a Linear enhancement to the image. The image is updated with 1, 2, 3 for RGB respectively, and the Linear enhancement is applied. 7. In the Target Selection window, click Zoom to Overview. 8. In the SPTA window, from the Target Selection Mode, select the Arbitrary Region option. 9. From the Shape drop-down list, select Polygon. 10. In the Target Selection window, use your mouse to digitize a small polygon over a forest in the image.
Figure 5-15: Example
of a forest sample area in flevoland.pix
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11. In the SPTA window, select the + beside Graphical Output to expand the Graphical Output options. 12. Select the Response Plot tab. Under the Polarization Response Plot parameters, choose co-polarized for type, and normalized for the scaling. 13. Click Plot.
Figure 5-16: Response plot for random features
The co-polarized response plot is created and opens in a new window. The values are high in both the vertical and horizontal planes, indicating random features. Most natural features will result in a plot of this type. Examine the co-polarized plot for the harbor area and close the plot.
In this lesson you:

Viewed POLSAR data using the SPTA Selected different types of targets Created and analyzed the response plots for the selected targets Viewed and analyzed numerical output for the selected targets
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Classifying polarimetric data in Modeler

Module
Ingesting and filtering polarimetric data Calculating polarimetric discriminators Unsupervised classification of POLSAR data
Classifying Polarimetric Data
Classification algorithms are grouped into supervised and unsupervised methods, although some algorithms combine features from each category. For supervised classification, an image analyst identifies land cover classes in a scene. This process is known as training the data. The training data can be chosen from the scene itself, or from scenes that possess similar characteristics. Once the training is complete, supervised classification algorithms automatically assign each pixel to a class based on the predetermined class means or boundaries. For unsupervised classification, the unsupervised classification algorithm has no prior information about the scene content or the landcover types present in the imagery. An unsupervised classification algorithm will examine the parameter space for each scene and will automatically define class boundaries based on homogeneous pixels. When the classification algorithm has run to completion, the image analyst must identify each class manually. Classification of polarimetric data follows the same logic, where unsupervised classification algorithms (such as PSCLOPOT and PSUSWIS) use polarimetric signatures derived by arbitrarily partitioning the feature space of the data, whereas supervised classification algorithms (such as PSSWIS) use training classes provided as bitmaps.
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SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 6: Classifying polarimetric data in Modeler
Lesson 6.1
Ingesting and filtering polarimetric data

Use the Modeler environment to ingest polarimetric data Use the Modeler environment to filter the polarimetric data
PSINGEST
PSINGEST imports the specified polarimetric SAR dataset into the PCISDK format to increase performance during subsequent processing. Both the image data and metadata are imported. The entire image or a subset of the image may be imported. The imported image is stored in one of the POLSAR matrix formats, which is automatically selected according to the data contained in the image.
PSBOXCAR
The PSBOXCAR module applies a boxcar filter to a polarimetric SAR dataset.
To open the Modeler environment:

1. From the Windows Start menu, select: All Programs > PCI Geomatics > Geomatica Vx.x > Modeler The Modeler environment and Algorithm Librarian open.
To add modules to the canvas:

1. In the Algorithm Librarian, expand the Radar Analysis folder. 2. Expand the SAR Radar Analysis folder. 3. Right-click the PSINGEST algorithm to display the context menu, then select Add to Canvas. 4. Click the canvas. The PSINGEST module is added to the Modeler canvas. 5. Repeat steps 3 - 5 to add the PSBOXCAR module to the canvas. 6. Right-click anywhere in the canvas and select Common Modules, then select Export from the Common Modules list. 7. Click on the canvas to add the Export module. Set up the modules as they appear in Figure 6-1.
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Lesson 6.1 Ingesting and filtering polarimetric data
Figure 6-1:
Modeler environment with PSINGEST, PSBOXCAR, and Export modules
Tip
To quickly find algorithms without expanding categories in the Algorithm Librarian, click Find and type in the name of the algorithm that you wish to find. Click Find Next in the Find Algorithm panel to go to the next algorithm with the matching name.
To set up the ports for PSINGEST and PSBOXCAR:

1. On the PSINGEST module, click the Output POLSAR Scene port, then click the Input Polarimetric SAR Scene port on the PSBOXCAR module. A green pipe joins the two modules. 2. On the PSBOXCAR module, click the Output Filtered Scene port, then click the Port on the Export module. A green pipe joins the two modules.
Figure 6-2: Ensure that
the model is set up as in the illustration below
To set up the PSINGEST module:

1. Double-click the PSINGEST module. The module control panel opens. 2. From the Input Params 1 tab, click Browse to navigate to the Flevoland data folder. Locate and select product.xml, and click Open. 3. For the Input Window (x,y,w,h), type 1000,5000,400,800.
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This optional parameter creates a subset of the data that is 400 pixels by 800 lines. The upper-left corner of the subset window will be 1000 pixels from the left of the original image, and 5000 pixels from top. 4. For Data Calibration ensure that the default, Sigma Nought, is selected. 5. Accept the default Database Layout of band, and Pyramid Options of near. 6. Click Accept.
Figure 6-3:
The PSINGEST module control panel
To set up the PSBOXCAR module:

1. Double-click the PSBOXCAR module. The module control panel opens. 2. From the Input Params 1 tab, for the Window size in X direction and Window size in Y direction, keep the default values of 5. The Window size in X direction specifies the filter windows horizontal size in columns; the Window size in Y direction specifies the windows vertical size in rows. Both values must be odd integers between 3 and 21. 3. Click Accept.
Figure 6-4:
The PSBOXCAR module control panel
Now that you have specified the input, you will configure the Export module. 6-4 PCI Geomatics
Lesson 6.1 Ingesting and filtering polarimetric data
To set up the EXPORT module:

1. Double-click the Export module. The Export module control panel opens. 2. From the Input Params 1 tab, click Browse to display the File Selector window. 3. Navigate to the Flevoland data folder, and type psboxcar_modeler.pix; click Save to return to the EXPORT module control panel. 4. Ensure that the output file Format is PCIDSK (.pix). 5. Click Accept.
Note
To run the model:

1. From the Modeler toolbar, click Run. 2. The model runs. When all modules have run successfully, the message Execution Complete appears at the bottom of the Modeler window. 3. When the model has run to completion, open the psboxcar_modeler.pix image in Focus to view the results. Alternatively, double-click the bulge in the green pipe that joins the PSBOXCAR module to the EXPORT module on the Modeler canvas. The file opens in a Modeler Viewer window.
Figure 6-5:
PSBOXCAR output shown in a Modeler viewer window
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Lesson 6.2
Calculating polarimetric discriminators

Use the PSEABA and PSPOLDIS modules to calculate polarimetric discriminators for the image dataset
PSEABA
The PSEABA algorithm creates an image of four parameters for a POLSAR dataset. The four parameters are entropy, alpha angle, beta angle, and anisotrophy; these parameters characterize the properties of partially coherent scattering.
PSPOLDIS
The PSPOLDIS algorithm calculates a number of polarimetric discriminators for a POLSAR dataset. These discriminators are based on the polarimetric synthesis. This algorithm reconstructs the orientation and ellipticity angles that a completely polarized wave would have for the different features in the image.
To add the Parameter Estimation algorithms:

1. From the Modeler toolbar, click the Algorithm Librarian icon. The Algorithm Librarian opens. 2. In the Radar Analysis folder, find and add the PSEABA and PSPOLDIS algorithms to the canvas, to the right of the PSBOXCAR algorithm.
To move the Export module:

1. Select the pipe connecting PSBOXCAR to the EXPORT module, then click Delete. 2. Click on the EXPORT module and drag to move it to the right of the new PSEABA module.
To add a Viewer module:

1. Right-click anywhere on the Modeler canvas and select Common Modules, then select Viewer. 2. Click on the Modeler canvas to add the Viewer module. Set up your model as illustrated in Figure 6-6.
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Lesson 6.2 Calculating polarimetric discriminators
Figure 6-6: Modeler canvas with the PSEABA, PSPOLDIS, Export, and Viewer modules added
3. On the PSBOXCAR module, click the Output Filtered Scene port, then click the Input Polarimetric SAR Scene port on the PSEABA module. A green pipe joins the two modules. 4. On the PSBOXCAR module, click the Output Filtered Scene port, then click the Polarimetric SAR Scene port on the PSPOLDIS module. A green pipe joins the two modules. 5. On the PSEABA module, click the Output Cloude-Pottier Results port, then click the Port on the EXPORT module. A green pipe joins the two modules. 6. On the PSPOLDIS module, click the Output Polarimetric Discriminators port, then click the Raster Port on the Viewer module. A green pipe joins the two modules.
To configure the PSEABA module:

1. Double-click the PSEABA module. The PSEABA module control panel opens. 2. Ensure that the Retrieve Eigenvectors option is cleared. 3. Click Accept.
Figure 6-7:
The PSEABA module, configured
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To configure the PSPOLDIS module:

1. Double-click the PSPOLDIS module. The PSPOLDIS module control panel opens. 2. For the Step size for Psi and Step size for Chi values, keep the default values of 10. 3. Click Accept.
Figure 6-8:
The PSPOLDIS module, configured
To set up the EXPORT module:

1. Double-click the Export module. The Export module control panel opens. 2. From the Input Params 1 tab, click Browse to display the File Selector window. 3. Navigate to the Flevoland data folder, and type flevoland_pseaba_mod.pix; click Save to return to the EXPORT module control panel. 4. Ensure that the output file Format is PCIDSK (.pix). 5. Click Accept.
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Lesson 6.2 Calculating polarimetric discriminators
To run the model:

1. Ensure that your model resembles the one in the illustration below.
Figure 6-9: Modeler environment with Parameter Estimation modules included
2. From the Modeler toolbar, click Run. The model runs through each of the modules. When the model runs to completion, the message Execution Complete appears at the bottom of the Modeler window. 3. When the model has run to completion, open the flevoland_pseaba_mod.pix image in Focus to view the results from the PSEABA module. The results from the PSPOLDIS module appear in a Modeler Viewer window. Figure 6-10 shows the output files from PSEABA (in Focus), and PSPOLDIS (in the Viewer window).
Figure 6-10:
The output images created by the PSEABA and PSPOLDIS modules.
Results from PSEABA, viewed in Focus
Results from PSPOLDIS, viewed in Modeler Viewer
In the flevoland_pseaba_mod.pix output file, the values of channels 1, 2, and 3 are mapped to Entropy, Anisotropy, and Alpha angle, respectively. This means that the range of red pixels indicate pixels with low to high entropy, and so on.
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To examine the results of the PSPOLDIS module:

1. From the Modeler canvas, double-click the bulge in the green pipe that joins the PSPOLDIS module to the Viewer module. The file opens in a Modeler Viewer window.
Figure 6-11:
PSPOLDIS output shown in a Modeler Viewer window
The output file contains the derived polarimetric discriminators and related angles at every pixel.
In this lesson you:

Configured Geomatica Modeler to run the polarimetric discriminator algorithms PSEABA and PSPOLDIS Examined the output from the PSEABA and PSPOLDIS modules
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Lesson 6.3 Unsupervised classification of POLSAR data
Lesson 6.3
Unsupervised classification of POLSAR data

Add three unsupervised classification modules to the modeler canvas Perform an unsupervised classification using polarimetric data View and compare the classification results
Note
For this module, you will require the model from the previous lessons
To set up the current model for unsupervised classification:

1. Remove the Viewer and Export modules from the Modeler canvas. To do this, click the module to select it, then press Delete on your keyboard. Alternatively, select the module and click Delete from the Modeler toolbar. 2. From Modeler, display the Algorithm Librarian. 3. Expand the Radar Analysis folder, then the SAR Radar Analysis folder. 4. Right-click the PSVANZYL algorithm, then select Add to Canvas. 5. Click the canvas. The PSVANZYL module is added to the canvas. 6. Add the following modules to the canvas: PSCLOPOT, PSFREDUR, PSUSWIS, and 4 Export modules. Ensure that your model is set up as illustrated in Figure 6-12.
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Figure 6-12:
Unsupervised classification modules
7. On the PSBOXCAR module, click the Output Filtered Scene port, then click the Input Polarimetric SAR Scene port on the PSVANZYL module. A green pipe joins the two modules. 8. On the PSVANZYL module, click the Output Classified Image port, then click the port on the first EXPORT module. A green pipe joins the two modules. 9. On the PSBOXCAR module, click the Output Filtered Scene port, then click the Input Polarimetric Scene port on the PSCLOPOT module. A green pipe joins the two modules. 10. On the PSCLOPOT module, click the Output Cloude-Pottier Classified Image port, then click the port on the second EXPORT module. A green pipe joins the two modules. 11. On the PSBOXCAR module, click the Output Filtered Scene port, then click the Input Polarimetric SAR Scene port on the PSFREDUR module. 12. On the PSFREDUR module, click the Output Classified Image port, then click the port on the third EXPORT module. 13. On the PSBOXCAR module, click the Output Filtered Scene port, then click the Input Polarimetric SAR Scene port on the PSUSWIS module. 14. On the PSFREDUR module, click the Output Classified Image port, then click the Input Freeman-Durden or Cloude-Pottier Classified Image port on the PSUSWIS module. 15. On the PSUSWIS module, click the Output Wishart Classified Image port and click the port on the fourth EXPORT module. Ensure that your model appears similar to the model in Figure 6-13.
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Figure 6-13:
SPW workflow
To configure the PSVANZYL module:

1. There are no parameters to configure for the PSVANZYL module. The only input required is the filtered SAR Scene.
To configure the PSCLOPOT module:

1. There are no mandatory parameters to configure for the PSCLOPOT module. The only optional parameter that the PSCLOPOT module accepts is the Class Boundary Definition File. This input is a text file that provides the class boundary definitions. By default, standard Cloude-Pottier class boundaries are used. If this file is not specified, the file from the Geomatica installation directory is used.
To configure the PSFREDUR module:

1. There are no parameters to configure for the PSFREDUR module. The only input required is the Input Polarimetric SAR Scene.
To configure the PSUSWIS module:

1. Double-click the PSUSWIS module. The module control panel opens. 2. Select the checkbox beside Initial Classification Source. This option must be enabled if the input is from the PSFREDUR module. 3. Accept the default number of iterations (5). 4. Click Accept.
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To configure the EXPORT module for PSVANZYL:

1. Double-click the EXPORT module joined to the PSVANZYL module. 2. Click Browse beside the File field. 3. From the File Selector window, navigate to the Flevoland data folder, and type psvanzyl.pix. 4. Click Save. 5. Ensure that the output file Format is PCIDSK (pix). 6. Click Accept.
To configure the EXPORT module for PSCLOPOT:

1. Double-click the EXPORT module that is joined to the PSCLOPOT module. 2. Click Browse beside the File field. 3. From the File Selector window, navigate to the Flevoland data folder, and type psclopot.pix. 4. Click Save. 5. Ensure that the output file Format is PCIDSK (pix). 6. Click Accept.
To configure the EXPORT module for PSFREDUR:

1. Double-click the EXPORT module that is joined to the PSFREDUR module. 2. Click Browse beside the File field. 3. From the File Selector window, navigate to the Flevoland data folder, and type psfredur.pix. 4. Click Save. 5. Ensure that the output file Format is PCIDSK (pix). 6. Click Accept.
To configure the EXPORT module for PSUSWIS:

1. Double-click the EXPORT module that is joined to the PSUSWIS module. 2. Click Browse beside the File field. 3. From the File Selector window, navigate to the Flevoland data folder, and type psuswis.pix. 4. Click Save. 5. Ensure that the output file Format is PCIDSK (pix). 6. Click Accept.
To run the module:

1. From the Modeler toolbar, click Run. 2. As the module runs, the progress is shown in the status area in the bottom of the Modeler window. 3. When the module successfully runs to completion, the message Execution Complete appears in the status area.
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Viewing the Classification Results:

1. Open Geomatica Focus: from the Windows Start menu, select: All Programs > PCI Geomatics > Geomatica Vx.x > Focus The Geomatica Focus environment opens. 2. Click the Files tab. 3. Right-click in the Files tab area, and select Add. 4. From the File Selector window, navigate to the Flevoland data folder, and select psvanzyl.pix. 5. Click Open. The psvanzyl.pix file appears in the Files tab. 6. Expand the Rasters section by clicking the + beside Rasters. 7. Right-click the single channel to display the context menu, and select View, then As Pseudocolor. The Raster Display Option panel opens. 8. Select North Up and click OK. The psvanzyl.pix file is displayed in the Focus viewer. 9. Click the Maps tab. 10. Right-click the psvanzyl.pix file to display the context menu, and select Edit PCT. The PCT Editing panel opens. 11. Click the Random button. 12. The PCT is updated in the Focus viewer. 13. Click Close to close the PCT Editing panel.
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Figure 6-14: The PCT

Editing panel, original (left) and edited to reflect classification (right)
Figure 6-15:
Viewing output from the PSVANZYL module
Original psvanzyl.pix image created from the PSVANZYL unsupervised classification method.
The psvanzyl.pix image after PCT editing, showing all classes generated from the PSVANZYL unsupervised classification method.
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14. To view the number of classes that the unsupervised classification module computed, right-click the psvanzyl.pix file in the Maps tree and select Histograms. The Histogram Display panel is displayed. The x-axis shows the number of classes that exist in this classification. In this case, there are 4 classes.
Figure 6-16:
The Histogram Display panel, showing the number of classes generated from the unsupervised classification module, PSVANZYL
15. Repeat steps 2 to 15 to view the classification results generated from PSCLOPOT and PSUSWIS.
Figure 6-17:
Classification generated from the PSCLOPOT module (16 classes)
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Figure 6-18:
Classification generated from the PSUSWIS module (9 classes)
To view the results from the PSFREDUR classification process:

1. In Focus, click the Files tree. 2. Right-click in the Files tab area, and select Add. 3. From the File Selector window, navigate to the Flevoland data folder, and select psfredur.pix. 4. Click Open. The psfredur.pix file appears in the Files tab. 5. Expand the Raster channels by clicking the + beside Rasters. Three raster channels are listed under the Raster list. 6. Select all three raster channels by holding down the shift key and clicking the first, second, and third raster channels, in that order. 7. Right-click in the Raster list area and select View > As RGB. The psfredur.pix file is displayed as RGB in the Focus viewer.
Figure 6-19:
psfredur.pix displayed as RGB in the Focus viewer
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In this lesson you:

Added three unsupervised classification modules to the Modeler canvas Used several methods to perform an unsupervised classification using polarimetric data Displayed and compared the results from different classification methods
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EASI Modeling to convert radar value formats
Appendix
The conversion to other scalings can be easily performed in EASI Modeling. The models provided here assume %1 is the original input channel and %2 is the new output channel. All involved channels must be 32R to accommodate pixel values smaller than 1.0 or even negative (in decibels). The image channel must exist in the database .pix file prior to running the model.
To add a new raster channel and open EASI Modeling:

1. In the Geomatica Focus Files tree, right-click a file to display the context menu, then select New > Raster Layer. 2. In the Add Image Channels window, add one new 32-bit real channel, then click Add. 3. From the Focus Tools menu, select EASI Modeling. The EASI Modeling window opens.
Figure A-1:
EASI Modeling window
4. From the Input File list, select the input file. 5. Click in the model box and enter one of the models below. To convert from Amplitude to Power: %2 = %1^2 To convert from Amplitude to Decibels: if( %1 > 0 ) %2 = 10 * LOG10( %1^2 ) To convert from Power to Amplitude: %2 = %1^0.5 To convert from Power to Decibels: if( %1 > 0 ) %2 = 10 * LOG10( %1 ) To convert from Decibels to Power: %2 = EXP10( %1 / 10.0 )
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SAR Processing with Geomatica - Appendix A: EASI Modeling to convert radar value formats
To convert from Decibels to Amplitude: %2 = (EXP10( %1 / 10.0 ))^0.5 6. To view the results in the Focus window, select the Display Result(s) checkbox. 7. Click Run.
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Apostila - SAR Processing With Geomatica

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SAR Processing with Geomatica

Course Guide Version 10.3

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Appendix A: EASI Modeling to convert radar value formats.............................................A-21

SAR processing with Geomatica

About this manual

Radar Processing Workflows

Radar Processing Workflows

SAR processing in OrthoEngine

OrthoEngine math models for SAR

SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 1: SAR processing in OrthoEngine

To start OrthoEngine on Unix systems:

Lesson 1.1 Creating a Project and Importing Radar Data

Creating a Project and Importing Radar Data

In this lesson you will:

ASAR/ RADARSAT Specific model

SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 1: SAR processing in OrthoEngine

To create a new project:

Lesson 1.1 Creating a Project and Importing Radar Data

Setting the projection parameters

To enter the output projection parameters:

To enter the GCP projection parameters:

SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 1: SAR processing in OrthoEngine

Lesson 1.1 Creating a Project and Importing Radar Data

Adding images to the project

To read images from a CD or digital distribution format:

SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 1: SAR processing in OrthoEngine

Saving the Project

To change the settings of the backup option:

In this lesson you:

Lesson 1.2 DEM Extraction

In this lesson you will:

The result is one DEM reprojected to the ground coordinate system.

Setting up to create epipolar images

SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 1: SAR processing in OrthoEngine

To open the Create Epipolar Images window:

To create the epipolar images:

Lesson 1.2 DEM Extraction

Extracting a DEM from a stereo pair of images

SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 1: SAR processing in OrthoEngine

To open the Automatic DEM Extraction window:

Stereo pair selection

To select the stereo pair:

To set the Epipolar DEM Extraction Options:

Lesson 1.2 DEM Extraction

To geocode the DEM:

SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 1: SAR processing in OrthoEngine

To view the DEM:

In this lesson you:

Lesson 1.3 Generating Orthorectified Images

Generating Orthorectified Images

In this lesson you will:

SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 1: SAR processing in OrthoEngine

Setting up for orthorectification

To set up the images:

To select and load the DEM:

Lesson 1.3 Generating Orthorectified Images

Selecting the Processing Options

Radiometric Terrain Correction

SAR Processing with Geomatica - Module 1: SAR processing in OrthoEngine

Land Cover Correction

To select the Processing Options:

Lesson 1.3 Generating Orthorectified Images