Analysis of ocean surface currents with TanDEM-X ATI: A case study in the Baltic Sea

• Published in: 2014 IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium
• Main Authors: Suchandt, Steffen, Lehmann, Andreas
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE Xplore 2014
• Subjects: SAR-Signalverarbeitung; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://elib.dlr.de/93151/; https://elib.dlr.de/93151/1/Suchandt_Baltic_Sea_Currents_IGARSS14_final.pdf

The monitoring of ocean currents is an important aspect of assessing climate changes. Space borne SAR along-track interferometry (ATI) has the potential to significantly contribute to this field. It can provide largearea, world-wide surface current measurements. The problem of mapping comparatively low velocities can be solved by formations of SAR satellites that allow for sufficiently sensitive ATI measurements. We report on a case study in the Baltic Sea, where we investigate surface currents with the TanDEM-X satellite formation. First ATI data have been analyzed and the results indicate the suitability of the method. The paper gives an overview on the study that includes comprehensive TanDEM-X ATI data acquisition and processing as well as comparison to reference data and to a coupled sea-ice model.