Detection of partially coherent scatterers in multidimensional SAR tomography: a theoretical study

Multidimensional Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging is a technique based on coherent SAR data combination for space (full 3-D) and space deformation-velocity (4-D) analysis. It extends SAR interferometry and differential interferometry concepts offering new options for the analysis and monitoring of ground scenes. In this paper, we consider the problem of detecting scatterers showing partial correlation properties induced by simultaneous acquisitions from satellite formations or an uneven temporal distribution of satellite constellations. To this end, we design a decision rule accounting for the presence of partial coherent scatterers. At the analysis stage, we assess the performance of the new detector also in comparison with a previously proposed scheme, developed in the context of SAR tomography for fully coherent scatterers.