SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION
PROJECT SUMMARY
Proposal Number:
Project Title:
AUTOMATED GEO-RECTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR SPACEBORNE SAR DATA USING INTERFEROMETRY
Technical Abstract:
The objective of this proposal is to evaluate the feasibility of
developing an automated system for geo-rectification of spaceborne
SAR data. The proposed system development would provide for the
first time a tool that NASA scientists could use to import
standard products from the NASA Alaska SAR Facility (ASF) and
export geo-rectified map projected image products directly to a
GIS for multi-sensor analysis. Since the production of geo-
rectified images requires a high resolution digital terrain model
(DTM) for removal of the terrain distortions inherent in the
standard ASF SAR image products, a capability for creation of DTMs
will be included in the package using interferometric SAR
techniques. The proposed geo-rectification system would be model
using the SAR image range/Doppler information to produce a high
fidelity image product. The system will have the capability to
geo-rectify ERS-1, ERS-2 and Radarsat data, including the
capability to generate DTMs from these data using interferometry.
Additionally, a SAR processor will be included in the system for
scientists who wish to use raw data from stations other than the
ASF where the processors have not been characterized. The
software package would also include quality assurance tools and an
X/Motif graphical user interface. All application code would be
written in C and C++ to operate on any UNIX workstation or larger
UNIX based computer system. The system would have the capability
to output data in ARC/INFO and other GIS formats.
Potential Commercial Applications:
The commercial application of SAR data has yet to be realized.
One key reason is due to the difficulty of managing SAR data and
correcting its inherent distortions. The Radarsat mission will
create a new set of commercial users of the data that require
tools for data analysis. The proposed package will be integral
for this user group. We also anticipate a sizable commercial
interest in the package from users interested in the DTM
production capability. Radarsat as well as the ERS-1, ERS-2
tandem orbit will create a sizable data set for low cost creation
of DTMs using the proposed software package.
Name and Address of Offeror:
Vexcel Corporation
2477 55th Street, Suite 201
Boulder, CO 80301
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) &
Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) Programs
Electronic Management System (EMS)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The SBIR/STTR EMS site is maintained by Steve
Hu, Hughes STX.
For comments and questions, contact
webmaster@sbir.hq.nasa.gov.
Updated: Feb. 7, 1996