CCDMap Coherent Change Detection Mapping System

Vexcel Corporation (CO, USA) has announced CCDMap-a highly automated satellite image processing system for Coherent Change Detection (CCD) from commercial SAR data.

CCDMap performs image formation, interferometric processing, ortho-rectification, and catalog and archive of Envisat, Radarsat-1, ERS-1/2, and JERS data. The system automatically ingests and processes large batches of SAR imagery, creating CCD and 2-color multi-view (2CMV) products that are automatically archived in GIS standard formats (GeoTIFF and Shape) for quick retrieval. CCDMap also allows users to combine Interferometric SAR (InSAR) pairs automatically from many frames into a complete country-sized mosaic with minimal operator intervention.

Examples of surface changes that have been observed by Vexcel in CCD products of generally arid landscapes include vehicle tracks, irrigated crops growing or being harvested, and excavation of soil. Small changes in backscatter imagery are also readily apparent in 2CMV image products. Changes in position of vehicles, fences, coastlines, or buildings under construction are readily identifiable from image pairs collected weeks to years apart.

CCDMap includes Vexcel's Apex Commander operations management tool suite.