Dr. G. Franceschetti
IRECE-CNR and the
University of Napoli, Italy




Research activity has been developed in the following areas:

Development of innovative processing codes for Interferometric SAR (IFSAR) image generation
Development of innovative architectures for real-time SAR data processing

The research activity is briefly summarized and appropriate references provided.

1. Innovative IFSAR processing codes.

Two problems have been studied: IFSAR image registration and phase unwrapping.

As far as image registration is concerned, an innovative procedure has been developed and implemented: the raw data couple is processed with respect to a common reference point, thus assuming accurate automatic registration with no need of image interpolation procedures. However, the two images are deformed: one is stretched and the other is compressed; but these deformations are efficiently accounted for with a scaling procedure. Experiments on real data validated the procedure.

References:

[1] Fornaro, G. and G. Franceschetti, "Image registration in interferometric SAR processing," in print on Proc. IEEE on Radar, Sonar and Navigation , December 1995.
[2] Fornaro, G. and G. Franceschetti, "A new approach for image registration in interferometric processing," IGARSS '94 , pp. 1983-1985, Pasadena, CA, (USA), 1994.
[3] Fornaro, G. and G. Franceschetti, "Image registration in interferometric SAR, " EUROPTO, Parigi, (Francia), September 1995.

Coming to the phase unwrapping, an innovative procedure has been developed and implemented. The procedure is based on the first Green's identity, is robust as far as noise is concerned, and limits the spread of DEM errors due to phase undersampling or low signal to noise ratio. Experiments on real data validated the procedure. In addition, new innovative procedures based on a variational formulation of phase retrieval is under investigation.

References:

[1] Fornaro, G. and G. Franceschetti, R. Lanari, J. Moreira, et al. "X-SAR interferometry, first results," IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sensing , 33, pp. 950-956, 1995.
[2] Fornaro, G. and G. Franceschetti, R. Lanari "Interferometric SAR phase unwrapping using Green's formulation," accepted by IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sensing .
[3] Isernia, T, V. Pascazio, R. Pierri, and G. Schirinzi, "Image reconstruction from Fourier transform magnitude with applications to SAR imaging," accepted by J. Opt. Soc. Am. A.
 [4] Isernia, T., V. Pascazio, R. Pierri, and G. Schirinzi, "Synthetic Aperture Radar imaging from phase corrupted data," submitted to IEEE Proc Radar, Sonar and Navigation.
 [5] Isernia, T., G. Leone, V. Pascazio, R. Pierri, G. Schirinzi, and F. Soldovieri, "Phase retrieval in antennas and remote sensing," 3rd EMC & CEM ESA Workshop , Pisa (Italy), 1993.
[6] Isernia, T., G. Leone, V. Pascazio, R. Pierri, and G. Schirinzi, "Application of phase retrieval techniques in Synthetic Aperture Radar data processing, " PIERS '93 , Pasadena (USA), 1993.
[7] Isernia, T., G. Leone, V. Pascazio, R. Pierri, G. Schirinzi, and F. Soldovieri, "Non linear inversion in E. M. imaging, PIERS '94 , pp. 768-772, Noordwijk (The Nederlands), 1994.
[8] Isernia, T., M. Materazzi, V. Pascazio, G. Schirinzi, and F. Soldovieri, "Non linear inversion in SAR imaging, PIERS '95 , Seattle, WA, (USA), 1995.
[9] Fornaro, G., G. Franceschetti, and R. Lanari "Two dimensional phase unwrapping based on the Laplace Eikonal equations," IGARSS '95 , Firenze (Italy), 3, pp. 1828-1830, 1995.

2. Innovative real-time architectures for SAR processing

An innovative architecture for real-time processing of a one-bit coded SAR signal has been designed. The architecture makes use of only phase shifters and adders; the elementary cell has been already realized, thus validating the original idea.

It is intended to realize a full prototype, to be using during the third SIR-C/X-SAR mission for a real-time processing demonstration. It is planned to realize the hardware in cooperation with CGS (Matera), under the ASI sponsorship. Obviously, ASI funding of the project is a critical point.

References:

[1] Cappuccino, G., G. Cocorullo, P. Corsonello, and G. Schirinzi, "Design and demonstration of a real time processor for one bit coded SAR signals," submitted to IEEE Proc. Radar, Sonar and Navigat.
[2] Isernia, T., V. Pascazio, and G. Schirinzi, "Synthetic Aperture Radar interferometry using one bit coded raw and reference signals," submitted to IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sensing.
 [3] Cocorullo, G., G. Franceschetti, M. Magliulo, V. Pascazio, and G. Schirinzi, "A novel architecture for real time one bit coded SAR data processing," Proc. of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering , 19941, pp. 182-188, Orlando, FL, (USA), 1993.
[4] Fornaro, G., G. Franceschetti, V. Pascazio, and G. Schirinzi, "Signum coded SAR interferometry," IGARSS '95 , Firenze (Italy), pp. 778-780, 1995.



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