1. TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, TerraSAR-X2 and their applications
Ralf Duering
ASV-Geo Business devleopment Director (TSX)

2. The SAR Roadmap with Constellation Perspective
~ 2019
The SAR Roadmap with Constellation Perspective
HRWS
2017
WorldSAR Constellation
2015
TerraSAR-X2
2013
TerraSAR/ PAZ Constellation
2010
TanDEM-X
2007
The continuity of the German SAR Roadmap
TerraSAR-X
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3. TerraSAR Programme Continuity
2008
2010
2015
2020
TerraSAR-X1 (PPP)
Imagery, Monitoring, DEM
TanDEM-X (PPP)
Global DEM
TanDEM-X Mission
Global DEM acquisition (1st coverage until end-2011, final DEM from 2014)
In parallel: imaging mission continuity
System up-grades: polar station, maritime mode, NRT ship processor
TerraSAR-X2: Second Generation
7.5 years nominal lifetime
more detail (< 0.5 m, polarization), AIS receiver
WorldSAR extension options (constellation, formation), incl. virtual constellation (PAZ under consideration)
Phase A started mid-2010, implementation start 2011
Third Generation (HRWS) in preparation
High-resolution wide swath technology (< km swath) (HRWS)
TerraSAR-X2
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4. Extra High Resolution Mode
Imaging Modes
TSX2 [TSX tbd.]
TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, TerraSAR-X2
TSX2
TopSAR
ScanSAR
30 x km²
StripMap
SpotLight
XHR
0.5 m …
0.25 m resolution
25 … 50 m
resolution
350 … 400 km swath
18 m
3 m
1 m
100 x km²
10x5 km²
Extra High Resolution Mode
Maritime Mode Optimised for ship detection, plus on-board AIS (TSX2)
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5. TSX2 – Advancements X-band SAR bandwidth Technology
300 MHz (1m) extended to 600 MHz at WRC 2007
1,200 MHz (25cm) on the agenda of WRC 2016
Technology
Key technologies demonstrated
More compact/efficient highly integrated design
Modular approach: Multi-channel SAR with 600 MHz/channel
Improved image quality: significant better NESZ
Intermediate step to digital beam forming (full implementation planned for TSX3)
27/07/2010
TSX2 - The Next Generation TerraSAR
Page 5
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6. TSX2 – Key Features Heritage modes, INSAR continuity
Enhanced collection capability
Zoom in: 5 x 5 25 cm
Zoom out: 400 km 30 m
Overall capacity like first generation, but
Increased flexibility: high local collection density for object patterns
AIS collects integral in local imagery
Communication and downlinks
900 Mbps X-band, network of stations for NRT
Relay link based on LCT to EDRS under investigation
27/07/2010
TSX2 - The Next Generation TerraSAR
Page 6
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7. Outlook: TerraSAR-X2 0.5 m, Dual Pol. 0.25 m proposal for WRC-16 agenda
Courtesy DLR-HR (F-SAR, 600Mhz, 0.5m, Dual-Pol, SLC)
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8. TSX2 WorldSAR Extension
Constellation
2 polar + 1 inclined
Average revisit below 10h
For most critical areas 24h revisit guaranteed at best resolution
Cooperation
TSX2 as constellation contribution
Partner purchasing TSX2 flight models
27/07/2010
TSX2 - The Next Generation TerraSAR
Page 8
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9. WorldSAR Alliance Concept
Virtual Constellation: TerraSAR, TanDEM with other systems
Multi-mission ground segment co-operation
TerraSAR-X2: Co-investment partnerships (max. 3) and system extension with additional satellites
Build-operate-transfer (BOT) concept
Regional tasking and servicing rights (domestic security)
Restricted to nations with remote sensing regulations
For a maximum of three partners
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10. TerraSAR-X Applications
Quantitative Measurements
Qualitative Measurements and Mapping
Digital Elevation Models (rel. vertical accuracy < 2 m)
Topographic Mapping (better than 1:25,000)
Ground Control Points (3D accuracy < 1 m)
Change Detection (ACD, CCD)
Surface Movement Monitoring (velocity < 5mm/year)
Ship Detection (ship length > 10 m)
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11. TanDEM-X WorldDEM Mission
TanDEM Mission
First configurable SAR interferometer in space
Bi-static operation: one of the two satellites emits radar signal, backscatter by both
Double-helix formation flying (DLR innovation): 200 meters distance between satellites – at a speed of 28,000 kilometers per hour
WorldDEM
3 years to cover entire globe (specific time windows – otherwise standard imaging requests performed by both satellites)
DTED/HRTI Level 3 (global)
Consistent, seamless global coverage
Secondary Mission Goals
HRTI Level 4 DEM acquisition (local)
Further scientific experiments
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12. TanDEM-X: DEM Accuracyh
10m
100km 2m
The primary product to be delivered by TanDEM-X is global digital elevation model according to the HRTI-3 standard.
This standard requires a spatial resolution of 12 m by 12 m, an absolute vertical accuracy of 10 m, and a relative point-to-point vertical accuracy of 2 m.
All height errors are specified for a 90% confidence level.
If we compare this definition to a DTED-2 DEM, we see that both the spatial resolution and the vertical accuracy are significantly improved.
This improvement results in a reduction of the 3-D voxel volume extension by a factor of 40.
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13. TanDEM-X: WorldDEM Product
Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
Corrected Digital Surface Model (spikes and wells)
Datum/Ellipsoid: WGS84
Mosaiced and calibrated (mainly ICEsat reference GCPs)
Height Error Map (HEM): automatically generated
Flag Mask (FLM): Annotation of
Water indication mask and shadow mask
Interpolated areas (< 9 pixels)
Areas of large height deviation from different DSM measurements
Amplitude Mosaic (AMP): SAR Ortho image (100 MHz, ~ 12 m)
Metadata (XML, ISO 19115)
Further Global Products
Water Mask
Coastlines
Urban Footprint
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14. Visual assessment - Minnesota
Close-Up
Visual assessment - Minnesota
SRTM 3“
SRTM 1“
TanDEM-X 0.4“
SRTM grid spacing
3“ 90m only <60° N/S free for everybody
1“ 30m only USA free for everybody, worldwide <60° N/S only for NGA
TDX
0.4“ 12m
TanDEM-X DEM processed by DLR
TanDEM-X SAR amplitude
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15. Statistical assessment vs. LiDAR - Minnesota
Close-Up
Statistical assessment vs. LiDAR - Minnesota
TanDEM-X „urban“
LiDAR DSM „urban“
273.65m
274.42m
287.19m
288.29m
Automatic / semi-automatic post-processing
TanDEM-X DEM processed by DLR
WorldDEM is extremely precise - Building structure is clearly visible
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16. TerraSAR-X GCP
Extraction of reference points (GCP’s) in remote and hard to access areas
Image orthorectification, Mosaicing, Target localization
Very high 3D accuracy (x, y, z)
Due to extremely high orbit accuracy (<10 cm)
TerraSAR-X inherent position error of 0.3 m in range and 0.5 m in azimuth
Validation Campaign (Corners and natural features)
 Resulting x, y, z accuracy of better than 1m for natural and man made features
SM, features
HS, features
HS, corner reflectors
inherent position error = pixel localization accuracy
Residuen Length: absolute value (Betrag) of error vector (xyz) of measured point
RMSE Root Mean Square Error
DGPS: Differential GPS with correction service with reference reception stations in cells in many countries: error 3cm.
To be used for validation.
Produkte
GCP1 1m 5GCP € HS
GCP2 2m 8GCP € SM + SL
GCP3 3m 10GCP 8.500€ SM
only ASC or DESC
ASC and DESC, 2 images
ASC and DESC, 4 images
only ASC or DESC
ASC and DESC, 2 images
ASC and DESC, 4 images
ASC and DESC, 4 images
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17. TerraSAR-X 3D Topographic Mapping
Data Acquisition
Automatic DSM Processing
DEM Editing
Interpretation & DTM Generation
Radargrammetric pair:
2 scenes, approx. 20° incidence angle difference
ascending and descending mode
1m SpotLight 3m StripMap
processed within TerraSAR-X Groundstation
Raw DSM editing by integrated workflow
No GCPs needed
Digital Surface Model DSM
Digital Terrain Model DTM
Stereo Interpretation of topographic features
DTM Extrapolation
Topographic Mapping (2D/3D)
1:10,000 1:25,000 1:50,000
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18. Topographic Map Scale 1:50,000
35 thematic classes
geometric accuracy: 7-8 m
35 thematic classes in this map, >60 classes can be distinguished
Geometric accuracy of map with redargrammetric DEM: 7-8m
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19. CCD: Phase Coherence Coherent Change Detection
nuclear enrichment facility - Qom, Iran
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20. Amplitude Change Detection
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21. Monitoring Subway Construction
Envisat -> TSX: better resolution -> more persistant scatterer, higher density
PSInSAR: PS density in urban areas
In urbanem gelände:PS Dicht steigt mit der Auflösung
SM: PS /km^2
HS: >>5000 PS/km^2
Displacement diagram valid for one point.
For each point there is one diagram
Analysis dependant on time interval, velocity measured and extrapolated
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22. Monitoring Airport Construction
Zone 1
Subsidence
heterogeneous
Zone 2
Zone 3
Tilting
-30
mm/11 days
+30
12/01/
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23. TSX Automated Ship Detection
Service Ship
Sea-Ice
Land
Off-shore Windpark
Golar Arctic (length: 279m)
Ships
Nysted Windfarm, Denmark
TerraSAR-X StripMap © DLR
TerraSAR-X StripMap © DLR
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TerraSAR-X © DLR
APT