Spatial resolution improvement of SSM/I data with image restoration techniques

A space variant image restoration algorithm has been developed with the aim of improving the spatial resolution of SSM/I (Special Sensor Microwave/Imager) passive microwave imagery. Due to the conical scanning of the instrument the relative geometry of the data samples changes over the scan. This change is accounted for here by using a space variant point-spread-function in the restoration algorithm. Application of this algorithm to a scene from the Weddell Sea results in an image with enhanced ice edge and coast definition. As a result ice concentration estimates near the edge agree more closely with higher resolution (optical) data from AVHRR. Index Terms - Restoration, deconvolution, resolution improvement, SSM/I.