azimuth. This results in an image strip with a 
continuous image quality (in flight direction). 
Besides dual polarization StripMap images will 
even be available as quadruple polarisation data, 
which allows for a more complete statistical 
description of the observed scene. 
• ScanSAR with up to 16 m resolution (100 kmX 
150 km standard scene size, extendable up to 4,200 
km acquisition length) - Areas up to 420,000 km 2 
anywhere on the globe can be covered in this image 
mode within only one orbit. In the ScanSAR mode, 
a swath width of 100 km (and even more) will be 
achieved by scanning four adjacent ground sub 
swaths with quasi-simultaneous beams, each with 
different incidence angle. 
The Basic Image Products generated from these three imaging 
modes are: 
■ Single Look Slant Range Complex (SSC) with 
amplitude and phase information in slant range 
geometry. 
■ Multilook Ground Range Detected (MGD) 
corrected to WGS84 with an average terrain height 
for slant range to ground range projection. 
■ Geocoded Ellipsoid Corrected (GEC) corrected to 
WGS84 with an average terrain height. 
■ Enhanced Ellipsoid Corrected (EEC) corrected to 
WGS84 with a digital elevation model (DEM). 
These products are available as CEOS Level lb data sets, can 
be absolutely radiometrically calibrated using the 
accompanied information and can be delivered as either a 
radiometrically or a spatially enhanced product. The spatial 
extent corresponds to the area accessible by the TerraSAR-X 
standard scene. 
In addition to these basic products, a set of value-added 
products is available, which are spatially oriented at the users 
region of interest which can be larger than a satellite scene. 
The Orthorectified Image (ORI sar ) is a geocoded image 
with highly precise terrain correction included. All those 
terrain distortions inherent in satellite imagery, particularly in 
areas with rough terrain have been removed. The 
orthorectification process uses high precision digital elevation 
models, so that the pixel location accuracy in comparison to 
EEC product is increased. 
The orthorectified image is also available as an image mosaic 
(MC SAR ) or a customer defined area of interest, i.e. a 
subsetted image product which covers a predefined 
geographical area. 
Figure 1: OM SAR OrthoMap 
Customized map sheet layout. 
Radiometric correction and normalization methods improve 
the orthoimage even more: The RAN sar product provides 
calibrated backscattering values which are necessary for 
quantitative analysis methods on the orthorectified images. 
Ascending/Descending Merge (ADM sar ) Typical charac 
teristics of SAR images are the radar shadows which are 
usually visible and may not be a helpful attribute because they 
obscure parts of the area under investigation. If the 
combination of SAR images from ascending and descending 
right looking orbits is used for image analysis, a reduction of 
the impact of layover, and radar shadow effects can be 
achieved. The ADM sar product includes this orbit merge. 
Mosaics (MC SAR ) or Oriented Images (OI SAR ) are optionally 
available as ADM sar . The ADM sar is of particular interest 
for area with steep mountainous terrain, where shadow and 
layover can disturb the analysis. 
Figure 2: ADM sar Ascending/Descending Merge sample product 
(middle) through combination of ascending (left) and 
descending orbits (right).