TomoSAR from theory to practice: Overview of the advancements and challenges

Hossein Aghababaei; Giampaolo Ferraioli

doi:10.1109/IGARSS55030.2025.11242958

TomoSAR from theory to practice: Overview of the advancements and challenges

Hossein Aghababaei
, Giampaolo Ferraioli

Department of Earth Observation Science

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Synthetic Aperture Radar Tomography (TomoSAR) is a transformative technique for multi-dimensional imaging, enabling detailed analysis of complex environments. This paper provides an overview of TomoSAR, exploring its technological advancements and the practical challenges. We delve into the principles of TomoSAR and its ability to synthesize elevation arrays for precise scatterer separation in the vertical dimension. The paper reviews key advancements to enhance the robustness of the TomoSAR inversion process. We also discuss emerging solutions, particularly the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep learning models, as well as the ongoing development of spaceborne SAR systems with improved revisit times. Finally, the paper outlines future directions for TomoSAR, emphasizing its potential for global-scale monitoring and interdisciplinary collaboration to extend its capabilities in environmental and urban monitoring

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2025 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium
Subtitle of host publication	Proceedings
Place of Publication	Piscataway, NJ
Publisher	IEEE
Pages	504-507
Number of pages	4
ISBN (Electronic)	979-8-3315-0810-4
ISBN (Print)	979-8-3315-0811-1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/IGARSS55030.2025.11242958
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print/First online - 25 Nov 2025
Event	IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2025: One Earth - Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia Duration: 3 Aug 2025 → 8 Aug 2025 https://www.2025.ieeeigarss.org/

Publication series

Name	Proceedings IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS)
Publisher	IEEE
Volume	2025
ISSN (Print)	2153-6996
ISSN (Electronic)	2153-7003

Conference

Conference	IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2025
Abbreviated title	IGARSS 2025
Country/Territory	Australia
City	Brisbane
Period	3/08/25 → 8/08/25
Internet address	https://www.2025.ieeeigarss.org/

Keywords

2025 OA procedure
SAR tomography
TomoSAR
SAR
Deep Learning (DL)
New SAR missions
Biomass
NISAR
Rose-L

Access to Document

10.1109/IGARSS55030.2025.11242958

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Final published version, 987 KB
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Embargo ends: 25/05/2026 00:00 CEST

Cite this

Aghababaei, H., & Ferraioli, G. (2025). TomoSAR from theory to practice: Overview of the advancements and challenges. In 2025 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium: Proceedings (pp. 504-507). (Proceedings IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS); Vol. 2025). IEEE. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1109/IGARSS55030.2025.11242958

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abstract = "Synthetic Aperture Radar Tomography (TomoSAR) is a transformative technique for multi-dimensional imaging, enabling detailed analysis of complex environments. This paper provides an overview of TomoSAR, exploring its technological advancements and the practical challenges. We delve into the principles of TomoSAR and its ability to synthesize elevation arrays for precise scatterer separation in the vertical dimension. The paper reviews key advancements to enhance the robustness of the TomoSAR inversion process. We also discuss emerging solutions, particularly the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep learning models, as well as the ongoing development of spaceborne SAR systems with improved revisit times. Finally, the paper outlines future directions for TomoSAR, emphasizing its potential for global-scale monitoring and interdisciplinary collaboration to extend its capabilities in environmental and urban monitoring",

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author = "Hossein Aghababaei and Giampaolo Ferraioli",

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Aghababaei, H & Ferraioli, G 2025, TomoSAR from theory to practice: Overview of the advancements and challenges. in 2025 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium: Proceedings. Proceedings IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), vol. 2025, IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, pp. 504-507, IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2025, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 3/08/25. https://doi.org/10.1109/IGARSS55030.2025.11242958

TomoSAR from theory to practice: Overview of the advancements and challenges. / Aghababaei, Hossein; Ferraioli, Giampaolo.
2025 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium: Proceedings. Piscataway, NJ: IEEE, 2025. p. 504-507 (Proceedings IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS); Vol. 2025).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review

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AU - Aghababaei, Hossein

AU - Ferraioli, Giampaolo

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N2 - Synthetic Aperture Radar Tomography (TomoSAR) is a transformative technique for multi-dimensional imaging, enabling detailed analysis of complex environments. This paper provides an overview of TomoSAR, exploring its technological advancements and the practical challenges. We delve into the principles of TomoSAR and its ability to synthesize elevation arrays for precise scatterer separation in the vertical dimension. The paper reviews key advancements to enhance the robustness of the TomoSAR inversion process. We also discuss emerging solutions, particularly the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep learning models, as well as the ongoing development of spaceborne SAR systems with improved revisit times. Finally, the paper outlines future directions for TomoSAR, emphasizing its potential for global-scale monitoring and interdisciplinary collaboration to extend its capabilities in environmental and urban monitoring

AB - Synthetic Aperture Radar Tomography (TomoSAR) is a transformative technique for multi-dimensional imaging, enabling detailed analysis of complex environments. This paper provides an overview of TomoSAR, exploring its technological advancements and the practical challenges. We delve into the principles of TomoSAR and its ability to synthesize elevation arrays for precise scatterer separation in the vertical dimension. The paper reviews key advancements to enhance the robustness of the TomoSAR inversion process. We also discuss emerging solutions, particularly the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep learning models, as well as the ongoing development of spaceborne SAR systems with improved revisit times. Finally, the paper outlines future directions for TomoSAR, emphasizing its potential for global-scale monitoring and interdisciplinary collaboration to extend its capabilities in environmental and urban monitoring

KW - 2025 OA procedure

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KW - TomoSAR

KW - SAR

KW - Deep Learning (DL)

KW - New SAR missions

KW - Biomass

KW - NISAR

KW - Rose-L

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DO - 10.1109/IGARSS55030.2025.11242958

M3 - Conference contribution

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T3 - Proceedings IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS)

SP - 504

EP - 507

BT - 2025 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium

PB - IEEE

CY - Piscataway, NJ

Y2 - 3 August 2025 through 8 August 2025

ER -

TomoSAR from theory to practice: Overview of the advancements and challenges

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Keywords

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Cite this