Data Formats for SAR Archival and Distribution

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data has historically been archived and distributed in the Committee on Earth Observation Satellite (CEOS) format. CEOS has some limitations, so future SAR missions are considering using the Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) format that is more compatible with other sensors supporting the Earth Observing System (EOS). With the adoption of HDF for SAR archival, the distribution formats of SAR data products are also under consideration. As SAR becomes more important in EOS, data formats compatible with geographic information systems (GIS) are needed and the GeoTIFF image format for the distribution of SAR data is the preferred choice. By moving into a more common data format, SAR data products may appeal to a larger audience. This paper summarizes the collaboration of the Alaska Satellite Facility, the National Snow and Ice Data Center, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to support the growing use of SAR for terrestrial ecology, resource management, and many other applications.