Producing ground deformation maps automatically: the DIAPASON concept

The use of radar interferometry has now been amply demonstrated. The limits of the technique are well understood, if not always predictable. In addition, the basic signal processing procedure seems to have reached a plateau. Further improvements can only be achieved if the number of processed scenes and the variety of experiences in the people using the technique are greatly increased. This can be done only if the access to the interferometric technique is given to a large group of users who are not necessarily radar specialists and who use standard computers or workstations. The architecture used at CNES for interferometric processing, called DIAPASON, has been designed to be user friendly and to require minimal work through the use of standard interfaces. Initially designed for optimal signal processing and throughput, DIAPASON proved it could run automatically in the vast majority of cases. A first course session organized in 1996 for twelve geophysicists indicated that, in one week, they could learn to use the software and to perform trouble shooting when necessary. The software has been already distributed in several laboratories and countries for industrial as well as scientific use. The author describes the main features of the software and its conditions of use.