Research Projects

Multi-temporal synthetic aperture radar interferometry (MT-InSAR) is a well-known technique to map deformation events. It helps to reduce economic and human losses. MT-InSAR algorithms apply spatio-temporal analysis on the interferometric phase time series of coherent pixels in the stack of differential interferograms, generated by SAR images acquired at different times. The analysis separates the deformation phase component from decorrelation noise, atmospheric error, and inaccurately modelled topographic phase component. Although MT-InSAR techniques are used widely to monitor deformation activities in hilly region especially, landslide, landslip, and seismic activities, it is unable to provide accurate deformation pattern in hilly terrain because of unavailability of accurate Digital Elevation Model (DEM), varying atmospheric condition, and significant decorrelation. This project is focused on the enhancement of the performance of MT-InSAR technique over the hilly terrain. Identification of coherent targets in the stack of differential interferogram is also a time-consuming process, which reduces the computational speed of the MT-InSAR. In this project we will also improve the computational speed of MT-InSAR. In the near future, India is about to launch NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission, a joint project between NASA and ISRO. Monitoring of deformation events using interferometric technique is one of the focused areas of this mission. The outcome of this project will help researchers to analyse, monitor, and predict deformation events in hilly region with more accuracy.