Abstract
The backprojection algorithm for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has the
ability of focusing raw data and forming an image without requiring
simplifying assumptions for the azimuth-direction phase response of the
recorded signal (Zebker et al., 2010). In fact, the usual quadratic
phase assumption is not accurate when the recording platform is affected
by turbulent motion or when wide variations in incidence angle across
the range swath are present in the acquired data (Duersh, 2013). In
addition, as we show here the backprojection algorithm is easily
extendable to create SAR images of the subsurface in addition to the
surface. These reasons make backprojection a well-suited method to
create 3D subsurface SAR volume images from spaceborne acquisitions. The
ability to form 3D SAR volumes using spaceborne data allows the study of
larger areas than those available using to airborne acquisitions
(Hélière et al., 2007). In this work, we create volume images by
applying a 3D backprojection method to Advanced Land Observing Satellite
(ALOS) data recorded over an icy area in Greenland previously studied by
Banda et at. (2016). The 3D SAR image volumes created using different
acquisition times enables the study of the evolution of the ice
structure and properties. To decrease the processing time, we implement
our algorithm using graphics processing units (GPUs) by taking advantage
of the embarrassingly parallel nature of the backprojection algorithm
(Fasih and Hartley, 2010).