Backscattering Features of Oyster Sea Farming in AIRSAR Image and Laboratory Experiment

Oyster fanning structures in tidal flats are well detected by SAR system. Each frame of these artificial structures is composed of two vertical and one horizontal wooden pole. We investigate characteristics of polarimetric features in the target structures. In this paper, the results of AIRSAR L-band POLSAR data and experiments in laboratory are discussed. The ratio of single bounce to double bounce scattering depends of vertical pole height, direction of horizontal pole to radar look direction, and incidence angle as well as sea surface condition. We have conducted laboratory experiments. According to target scale, Ku-band and targets downsized by scale of 10 are used. The results of the experiments are summarized as: i) total power of the backscattering is more affected by vertical poles than a horizontal pole; ii) and backscattering from a horizontal pole is sensitive to the relative radar look direction to target array. We conclude that water level can be effectively measured by using interferometric phase and backscattering intensity if vertical poles in the water are observed by L-band HH- or VV-polarization. Measurement of tide height can be further improved if double bounced components are separated from fully polarized SAR data.