ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the importance of calibration and validation procedures to be considered during the in-orbit testing phase and normal operational phase of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mission. As many remote sensing applications are lined up to explore SAR data, calibration and validation play a pivotal role in assessing the integrity of SAR data. Different kinds of calibration techniques, such as radar calibration devices, and specifically, corner reflectors, are discussed at length. Types of corner reflectors and their criteria for selection for various frequency bands of operation, fabrication, and material requirements are elaborated to conduct external SAR calibration exercises. Image quality metrics in terms of radiometric and geometric validation are presented to ascertain the usability of different levels of data products for various applications.
