Creating a project using Radar Satellite Modeling

Radar Satellite Modeling includes the following options:
  • Toutin's Model
  • Radar Specific Model
  • Rational Function (Extract from image)

Toutin's Model is a rigorous model that compensates for known distortions in SAR data to calculate the position and orientation of the sensor at time of image acquisition.

Radar Specific Model is a radar-specific model designed to work with the characteristics of SAR data, according to the sensor.

Rational Function (Extract from image) is a simple math model that builds a correlation between the pixels and the ground locations based on the coefficients you import. Some data providers compute the Rational Functions coefficients based on their knowledge of the sensor and distribute the coefficients and the image.

For more information about the rational functions math models, see Understanding the rational functions math model.

When you are working with radar data other than RADARSAT-2, and your data has more than eight well-distributed GCPs, both Toutin's Model and the Radar Specific Model will produce similar results.

When using Toutin's Model with RADARSAT-2 data, ground control points (GCPs) are not required to achieve accuracy within spacing of one pixel. You can still collect GCPs if you are confident in the accuracy of the GCPs.

For more information about the Radar Satellite Modeling math model, see Understanding Radar Satellite Modeling.

To create a project using Radar Satellite Modeling

  1. On the File menu, click New.
  2. In the Project Information window, type a file name for your project in the Filename box.

    This will be the file name of your project after you click OK.

  3. In the Name box, type a name for the project.

    The name you enter will appear on the title bar of the OrthoEngine window

  4. In the Description box, type a brief description of the project.

    A good description helps you—and most importantly, others—to identify the subject and contents of the project.

  5. Under Math Modeling Method, click Radar Satellite Modeling.
  6. Under Options, click the model type that corresponds to the images that you are using in your project:
    • Toutin's Model
    • Radar Specific Model
    • Rational Function (Extract from image)

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