Technology based training for radar image interpreters

This document describes the need of training tools for radar image interpreters. Concepts, methods and solutions for supporting technology based training are presented and demonstrated by means of two examples: SAR-Tutor is a computer based training software for learning the basic principles of radar image interpretation. ViSAR is a simulator for exploring and understanding geometrical effects which occur in radar images. The interaction of these two tools and their use in operational training scenarios are explained.

I. Introduction

In the last decade more and more spaceborne radar sensors have been launched in the orbit and deliver lots of high resolution images to the remote sensing community. Especially Germany has access to high resolution data due to programs like TerraSAR-X, Tandem-X and SAR-Lupe. The benefits of radar images in comparison to optical images are obvious, because you can achieve images at night as well as under cloudy weather conditions.