Effects of surface currents on airborne cross track radar interferometry

Since airborne cross track interferometry provided successful results in imaging land surfaces, a mission for achieving high resolution interferometric products over the Waddensea in the German Bight was carried out. In contrast to the nonflooded areas, the interferometric phase over water surfaces, such as tidal channels, was not as expected and indicated an additional interferometric phase difference. It could be induced by the surface movement under squinted imaging geometry, that leads to an along track component. Investigations show that there are some reasons that can add up to the authors' observation. Also experimental data proving this effect are shown.