About MAI - Multiple Aperture Interferometry

Multiple Aperture Interferometry (MAI) is an advanced technique integrated into the Sentinel Application Platform (SNAP) through a dedicated plugin. Developed by the CSL Signal Processing Laboratory, this open-source plugin enhances Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image analysis by enabling the extraction of azimuth displacement measurements from SAR data. MAI is particularly valuable for detecting and quantifying ground movements in the along-track direction, complementing traditional line-of-sight displacement measurements.

Purpose and Functionality: The primary purpose of the MAI plugin is to overcome the limitation of conventional Differential SAR Interferometry (InSAR), which primarily measures displacements in the line-of-sight direction. MAI achieves this by splitting the Doppler spectrum of SAR images to create forward- and backward-looking interferograms. The phase difference between these interferograms allows for the estimation of azimuth displacements, providing a more comprehensive understanding of ground deformation events.

Key Features:

• Azimuth Displacement Measurement: Enables the detection of ground movements in the along-track direction, enhancing the dimensionality of displacement data.
• Doppler Spectrum Splitting: Utilizes sub-aperture processing to generate forward- and backward-looking images, facilitating precise azimuth displacement calculations.
• Integration with SNAP: Seamlessly incorporates into the SNAP environment, allowing users to include MAI in their existing SAR analysis workflows.
• Open-Source Accessibility: Available as an open-source plugin, encouraging collaboration and further development within the remote sensing community.

Applications:

• Seismic Monitoring: Assists in analyzing along-track ground displacements resulting from seismic events, providing critical data for earthquake studies.
• Landslide Detection: Enhances the identification and monitoring of landslides by capturing movements parallel to the satellite's flight path.
• Infrastructure Stability Assessment: Supports the evaluation of structural integrity by detecting subtle azimuthal shifts in critical infrastructure.

Authors

Murielle Kirkove

WEBSITE

Reference Publication