Jun 3, 2003
Product ID Site - Flight Line Length (km) Bandwidth (C,L,P) Mhz
ts1476 LakeMichigan216-1 60 40-40-20
 
URL to backscatter image: http://blacks.jpl.nasa.gov/PRECISION/ts1476.gif
 
The standard AIRSAR data files are included on the CD-ROM/DVD along with browse GIF image files.  Please note that due to large file sizes, CD-ROM’s may be too small to hold all the data, and the data might be spread across multiple discs.  For more information about what these files are and the format, please visit the http://airsar.jpl.nasa.gov web page.

We did not apply a P-band filter to your P-band data, as we did not see evidence for a substantial P-band interference in the imagery. However, it is not uncommon for there to be a small amount of P-band interference present in the data.

This data was acquired in ping-pong mode, which means that the XTI antennas were alternately used to transmit and receive this effectively doubles the baseline (potentially increasing the height accuracy), but decreases the SNR. Either the normal or the doubled baseline can be used in processing the data. Usually, we use the long baseline, but if there are problems, we use the normal baseline. The long baseline was used in processing this data.

The AIRSAR DEM product is in meters and represents the elevation of the terrain above a spherical approximation to the WGS-84 ellipsoid. The radius of this approximating sphere is calculated using a so-called "peg point".

Common errors in the imagery:

It is not unusual for the processed DEM to suffer from multi-path effects that we currently cannot correct. These artifacts manifest themselves as vertical along track banding (of a few meters) in the topography.

In areas of low correlation (sometimes associated with uncompensated motion, but usually in areas that are shadowed or subject to layover), we sometimes have difficulty unwapping the phase, which results in holes in the imagery.

Uncompensated motion can effect the calibration of the imagery (looks like cross track streaks). Usually this occurs if the flight was very turbulent, or if the motion data was not properly tracking the motion of the DC-8.

If we have sufficient tie points, we may be able to detect errors in the geolocation of the data relative to the map data. In that case, we will update the location of the imagery, but we will note in this letter if the correction was necessary. It will be noted below under Tie-pointing information.

This data was acquired in a mixed bandwidth mode. However, we have processed the imagery so that the data will be co-registered. The resolution and swath are dependent on the bandwidth, so the smaller bandwidth data has a worse resolution than the higher bandwidth data, and we have not processed some of the swath from the smaller bandwidth data.
Additional Comments
Due to corrupted motion and header data during this flightline, The C-band and L-band DEM do not meet our accuracy requirements. therefore, only the C-band and L-band VV image file is released (as well as the P-band polarimetric file). Even though the c-band dem does not meet our accuracy requirement, we believe the resulting backscatter imagery (projected to this DEM, and antenna pattern and slope compensation to radiometry) meets our requirements for radiometric and geometric accuracy.
If you have any questions, please contact Bruce Chapman at:
Tel: 818-354-3603
Fax: 818-393-5285
E-mail: bruce.chapman@jpl.nasa.gov