Regional stability of an ERS/JERS-1 SAR classifier

Title	Regional stability of an ERS/JERS-1 SAR classifier
Publication Type	Conference Proceedings
Year of Publication	1996
Authors	Kellndorfer J., Dobson M.C, Ulaby F.T
Conference Name	Proceedings of IGARSS96
Pagination	1093-1095
Date Published	May 19961996
Conference Location	Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
Call Number	00679
Keywords	abstract, abstracts, conference, conference proceedings, conferences, intersite, proceeding, proceedings, remote sensing
Abstract	The potential of combined ERS/JERS-1 SAR images for land cover classification was demonstrated for the Raco test site (Michigan) in recent papers and articles. Our goal is to develop a classification algorithm which is stable in terms of applicability in different geographical regions. Unlike optical remote sensing techniques, radar remote sensing can provide calibrated data where the image signal is solely determined by the physical (structural) and electrical properties of the targets on the Earth's surface and near subsurface. Hence, a classifier based on radar signatures of object classes should be applicable on new calibrated images without the need to train the classifier again.This article discusses the design and applicability of a classification algorithm, which is based on calibrated radar signatures measured from ERS-1 (C-band, vv polarized) and JERS-1 (L-band, hh polarized) SAR image data. The applicability is compared in two different test sites, Raco, Michigan and the Cedar Creek LTER site, Minnesota. It was found, that classes separate very well, when certain boundary conditions like comparable seasonality or soil moisture conditions are observed.