Removing the Effect of Lunar Topography on Mini-RF SAR Polarimetric Parameters Through DEM Data

Topography exerts a significant influence on the polarimetric parameters of synthetic aperture radar (SAR), making its study crucial for advancing scientific research. Accurate analysis of topography-independent content requires the removal of lunar topography effects. This letter presents a statistical-based method for assessing the impact of topography on SAR images. It involves the calculation of various SAR parameters and local incidence angle (LIA) using Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter’s (LRO) Mini-RF SAR and Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) digital elevation model (DEM) data, respectively. By establishing a mapping relationship between LIA and SAR parameters through coregistration, the proposed method enables an insightful examination of topography effects. The method is applied to analyze and mitigate topography influences on lunar SAR images acquired by Mini-RF, indicating that LIA has a pronounced effect on SAR parameters in relatively flat areas, while its correlation weakens in rougher regions. This analysis provides valuable insights for classifying lunar regolith based on the effects of topography on SAR images.