The basis of synthetic aperture radar interferometry in Hungary

Abstract

Nowadays, one of the most widespread surface monitoring techniques is synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR), which can be used to measure millimetre-scale deformations by comparing the phase information of satellite images taken a few days to a few years apart. To attain this precision, we need methods that use dozens of radar images and rely on accurate additional information (e.g. satellite positions and meteorological data). There are several limiting spatial and meteorological factors which should be taken into consideration when doing high-precision deformation analysis. Also, due to the relatively high price of these products, a cost optimization is essential before purchasing by taking the above-mentioned aspects into consideration. Here, we give an overview of a new nationwide database intended for this purpose. The paper also summarizes the major advancements and the on-going research done in Hungary in the field of radar interferometry.

Keywords:

• radar interferometry
• InSAR
• permanent scatterer
• tropospheric errors
• Hungary

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the support of Dr. Gyula Grenerczy and Dr. Sándor Frey at the Satellite Geodetic Observatory (SGO), Institute of Geodesy, Cartography and Remote Sensing. Thank also goes to Professor Lajos Völgyesi of the Department of Geodesy and Surveying at Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Zoltán Oberle of SGO and Kinga Hován for their help with this project. We also acknowledge the support of the Hungarian Association for Geo-information (HUNAGI).