Physics-Guided Machine Learning Based Forward-Modeling of Radar Observables

a Case Study on Sentinel-1 Observations of Corn-Fields

Journal Article (2025)
Authors

Tina Nikaein (TU Delft - Mathematical Geodesy and Positioning)

F.J. Lopéz-Dekker (TU Delft - Mathematical Geodesy and Positioning)

Research Group
Mathematical Geodesy and Positioning
To reference this document use:
https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTARS.2025.3543238
More Info
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Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Research Group
Mathematical Geodesy and Positioning
Volume number
18
Pages (from-to)
6492-6502
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTARS.2025.3543238
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Abstract

Artificial neural networks have the potential to model the interaction of radar signals with vegetation but often do not follow the physical rules. This article aims to develop a new physics-guided machine learning approach that combines neural networks and physics-based models to leverage their complementary strengths and improve the modeling of physical processes. We propose a data-driven framework to model synthetic aperture radar observables by incorporating physical knowledge in two ways: through the network architecture and the loss function. A key aspect of our approach is its ability to integrate knowledge encoded in physics-based models. The results show that by using scientific knowledge to guide the construction and learning of the neural network, we can provide a framework with better generalizability and stability.