Generalized Poincar\'e Orthogonality: A New Approach to POLSAR Data Analysis

Abstract

In this paper we outline a new approach to the analysis of polarimetric synthetic aperture (POLSAR) data. Here we exploit target orthogonality as a multi-dimensional extension of wave orthogonality, familiar on the Poincar\'e sphere. We first show how to formulate a general basis for a complex orthogonal scattering space using a generalization of the Poincar\'e formulation, and then show how to optimize the backscattered signal in this space for both monostatic and bistatic radar systems. We illustrate application of the new approach, first to ship detection, using data collected off the north-west of Scotland and then land-use applications in a mixed scene around Glasgow, Scotland, both using L-band ALOS-2 POLSAR data.