IMAGING ABILITY RESEARCH OF SHALLOW UNDERWATER BOTTOM TOPOGRAPHY BY SAR IN CHINESE COASTAL SEA

摘要

Based on the SAR imaging mechanism of shallow underwater bottom topography, this paper analyzes the status of tide and tidal current and the distribution of shallow underwater bottom topography in Chinese coastal sea. About 100 scenes of ENVISAT ASAR quick look images and ERS SAR quick look images are analyzed combined with the analyses of the status of tide and tidal current and the distribution of shallow underwater bottom topography. Four main areas where underwater bottom topography can be imaged by SAR are obtained. They are area around Bohai Sea, area around Subei Shoal, area around Taiwan Shoal and area of Nansha Islands. Four examples of SAR images included information of underwater bottom topography are presented. It can be shown through above analyses that fluctuation of underwater bottom topography and the status of tide and tidal current are the crucial factors for SAR being imaged in shallow underwater bottom topography.