Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a key technology for Earth observation, that allows the unobstructed Earth observation and imaging including change detection and disaster management with high spatial resolution and independence of distance and weather conditions. Advancement in processing techniques and analyses will soon make it possible to have realtime monitoring. Due to the increasing ubiquity of wireless communications and the ever-increasing utilization of the radio spectrum, radio frequency interference is expected to become a major issue impacting spaceborne SAR technologies.

This research project aims to investigate interference topic in modern spaceborne SAR systems. It will construct a modelling framework to capture terrestrial interference using both analytic tools from stochastic geometry and simulation tools. It will then develop novel machine learning methods to detect interfering regions in reflected SAR signal based on both training samples, supervised and unsupervised learning methods. The research will thus develop interference mitigation techniques that will enhance SAR observation under the increasingly crowded radio spectrum.

The results of this project are expected to enhance the reliability of spaceborne SAR earth observation with direct applications in defence & security as well as in agriculture farming which is totally aligned with SmartSat CRC second research area “Earth observations from space” objectives and applications.