1. Hierarchical Bayesian Data Analysis in Radiometric SAR System Calibration: A Case Study on Transponder Calibration with RADARSAT-2 Data.
- Author
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Döring, Björn J., Schmidt, Kersten, Jirousek, Matthias, Rudolf, Daniel, Reimann, Jens, Raab, Sebastian, Antony, John Walter, and Schwerdt, Marco
- Subjects
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PHYSICAL measurements , *CALIBRATION , *RADAR , *ELECTRONIC pulse techniques , *MONTE Carlo method - Abstract
A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system requires external absolute calibration so that radiometric measurements can be exploited in numerous scientific and commercial applications. Besides estimating a calibration factor, metrological standards also demand the derivation of a respective calibration uncertainty. This uncertainty is currently not systematically determined. Here for the first time it is proposed to use hierarchical modeling and Bayesian statistics as a consistent method for handling and analyzing the hierarchical data typically acquired during external calibration campaigns. Through the use of Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations, a joint posterior probability can be conveniently derived from measurement data despite the necessary grouping of data samples. The applicability of the method is demonstrated through a case study: The radar reflectivity of DLR's new C-band Kalibri transponder is derived through a series of RADARSAT-2 acquisitions and a comparison with reference point targets (corner reflectors). The systematic derivation of calibration uncertainties is seen as an important step toward traceable radiometric calibration of synthetic aperture radars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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