SAR-SIFT for matching multiple SAR images and radargrammetry

This article presents a new application of the SAR-SIFT algorithm proposed by Dellinger et al. (IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 53:453-466, 2015) for the automatic generation of tie points (TPs). In particular, SAR-SIFT is applied on stereo-SAR images to extract corresponding points and determine their 3D position. Furthermore, the potential of the combined use of the SAR-SIFT with the SAR-stereo model for extracting reliable TPs is analysed, by evaluating their absolute accuracy in 2D and 3D. The tests are performed with TerraSAR-X HR SpotLight data acquired over Trento, Italy. Single and multiple image pairs have been considered. 3D accuracy assessment of the extracted points is performed relying on LiDAR data; the results show a planimetric accuracy up to 1 m and an elevation accuracy of about 2 m.