InSAR: An introduction to Processing and Applications using ISCE and GIAnT

August 4 - 6, 2014
UNAVCO, 6350 Nautilus Drive, Boulder, Colorado
Course will begin at 9am on August 4 and end at 5pm on August 6.

Course Materials and WebEx Recordings of the workshop

The goal of this short course is to train scientists in the methods and practices of InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar), a powerful tool for measuring Earth surface deformation due to earthquakes, volcanic unrest, ground water migration, and anthropogenic activity. Terabytes of InSAR data were collected for the EarthScope program that spans the entire US. Training scientists new to InSAR for the interpretation of these important data sets is critical to the EarthScope mission. InSAR is also being increasingly used in studies of cryosphere (motion of glaciers and ice sheets) and atmosphere (water content in the troposphere). This short course will also help prepare scientists for exploiting data from the proposed NISAR InSAR mission, a joint project between the US and India, which is now in the formulation stage (Phase A).

New techniques and applications of InSAR are being developing all the time, including stacking, time-series analysis of surface deformation, ScanSAR, polarimetric InSAR, and along-track interferometry. While this 3-day workshop will focus on the fundamentals of InSAR, basic processing and applications for new users, the knowledge gained should prepare attendees to better understand and utilize the newer techniques. A brief introduction to InSAR time series will be included.

If you have considered using InSAR data and imagery in your research or want to learn more about how to apply InSAR to new areas of research, this workshop is for you. The course includes an overview of the technology and its application to Earth Science, a detailed introduction to the installation and use of the new JPL/Caltech/Stanford InSAR Scientific Computing Environment (ISCE) processing package, and an overview of other processing packages. ISCE is a joint endeavor between JPL and Stanford featuring modernized object-oriented code for greater extensibility, and support for newer platforms, including TerraSAR-X and COSMO-SkyMed. The related technique of pixel offset tracking or sub-pixel correlation with SAR images will also be covered. In extended hands-on sessions ("tinker time"), the students will use the ISCE software to process example data. In a half-day session, we will introduce the Generic InSAR Analysis Toolbox (GIAnT) to show how time-series analysis of InSAR data can extract additional information.

Brief Agenda

• Introduction to InSAR Applications
  
• SAR and InSAR theory
  
• Introduction to ISCE with processing of test data
  
• Getting SAR data
  
• Envisat Baja California example and interpreting ISCE output ISCE internals
  
• Haiti earthquake ALOS example
  
• Practical considerations, visualizing data and preparing data for modeling
  
• Sendai TerraSAR-X example
  
• Preview of GIAnT
  
• Hands-on GIAnT example

Computers and Data
Participants will be expected to know basic UNIX or Linux command line usage. Students must apply for WInSAR data access through their University representative (WInSAR Membership) if they don't already have a WInSAR account. In addition, it would be helpful if participants apply for access to the ALOS PALSAR data at the Alaska Satellite Facility as a WInSAR member. Participants should bring their own laptop computer (any type as long as it has a modern web browser installed) to access virtual machines where the software will be installed.

Poster Session
This Short Course will have a poster viewing session. All participants are encouraged to bring a poster with a subject that is related to geodetic measurements of surface motion. Poster size should be max 4' wide. Please indicate if you will be bringing a poster on the registration form.

Virtual Participation
This Short Course will be available via WebEx for those who would like to attend virtually. Please indicate if you will be attending the meeting in Boulder or virtually.

Instructors and Contacts
Eric Fielding, JPL eric.j.fieldingjpl.nasa.gov
Paul Rosen, JPL
Matt Pritchard, Cornell University
Piyush Agram, JPL
Scott Baker, UNAVCO

Course Materials and WebEx Recordings of the workshop

Course Logistics
Virtual Participant Information
Travel Arrangements
Financial Support - limited funding is available for student participation. Follow the link for more information and to apply for support.
Contact
Registrants

Last modified: 2019-12-24  01:25:50  America/Denver