NovaSAR-Automated Data Processing for Geometric Correction and Radiometric Terrain Normalization for Analysis Ready Data

NovaSAR is an S-Band SAR built by Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), UK, in collaboration with AirBus and launched by ISRO in 2018.It operates in the frequency band of 3.1-3.3 GHz and provides medium resolution data in Stripmap and ScanSAR imaging. The ground resolutions varying between 6m-45 m with Single Pol(HH, VV), co-pol Dual Pol(HH & VV), Co-Cross Dual (HH & HV, VV & VH) and Tri Polarization(HH, VV & HV) capability.NovaSAR data is acquired at the National Remote Sensing Centre-NRSC and the SAR Raw Data is processed to Level-1 strips using the Image Formation Processor –IFP provided by Airbus . The IFP SAR data processing pertains to the entire imaged duration resulting in longer strips of data and SAR geocoding using Ellipsoidal Model resulting in Level-1 Single Look Complex SLC and Ground Range Detected –GRD end-products.However, SAR based applications require higher levels of Terrain Corrected and Map Projected data products which can aid user friendly analysis and enhanced SAR based Applications. In order to improve the geometric and radiometric parameters of the NOVASAR strip-based output and for ease of data dissemination , a novel Scene-framing technique with enhanced geocoding is designed and developed at NRSC .Terrain Geocoding algorithm using SAR Simulation is developed in-house and appropriate corrections are carried out in the range and Doppler domains.This work describes the enhanced data processing of NOVASAR resulting in Scene-based, Terrain Corrected Bundled Products which are designed, developed and implemented for generation of Analysis Ready Data –ARD. Automation has been devised for NovaSAR Data processing at Integrated Multi-mission Ground Segment for Earth Observation Satellites –IMGEOS NRSC with appropriate workflows. Thus the User Requests for NOVASAR-S band data are catered to, with novel Scene-based Terrain Geocoded NOVASAR Products with ARD layers