InSAR technology: radar interferometry to measure ground deformation from satellite and ground-based systems
With InSAR technology, you can monitor millimetric movements, reconstruct historical trends, and support decisions on subsidence, instability, and infrastructure. Choose the right approach: satellite InSAR for historical analysis and continuous monitoring, or ground-based InSAR TInSAR for high-frequency monitoring.
Not sure which one to choose? Scroll through the comparison table: in 20 seconds, you’ll understand what you need.
NHAZCA's InSAR technology
a revolution in pinpoint environmental monitoring
What is InSAR technology?
Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) is a technique that estimates ground deformation by comparing radar acquisitions over time. Depending on the platform, InSAR is applied in two complementary ways:
Satellite InSAR (A-DInSAR): wide-area coverage, historical analysis, and continuous monitoring with periodic updates. It is ideal for identifying trends such as subsidence and for screening activities over large areas.
Ground-based InSAR (TInSAR / GBInSAR): a sensor installed on the ground, providing highly frequent and detailed measurements. It is typically used when live monitoring is required for landslides, construction sites, excavation fronts, and critical slopes.
In other words, InSAR technology allows you, through remote sensing, to analyze ground variations with extreme precision, including the smallest movements, both over large areas and at detailed scale. This innovative approach opens new frontiers in the understanding of geological and natural phenomena, enabling the monitoring of extensive areas with unprecedented detail.
Satellite InSAR and its applications
One of the applications of satellite InSAR is the measurement of historical deformation in an area, thanks to the availability of satellite imagery since 1992. In addition, the characteristics of new-generation satellites enable remote sensing and monitoring of territories and structures with short acquisition intervals. Recent Advanced Differential Interferometry (A-DInSAR) techniques exploit the natural presence of anthropogenic elements, such as buildings, structures, and infrastructure, as well as natural elements, such as exposed rocks and homogeneous portions of terrain, to provide reliable measurement points from which highly accurate displacement time series can be obtained.
The latest-generation algorithms developed by NHAZCA enable customized applications for several purposes, including:
- Land-use planning
- Urban planning
- Slope stability assessment
- Monitoring of subsidence processes, for example those caused by oil, gas, or groundwater extraction
- Monitoring of large structures and infrastructure, such as dams, buildings, motorways, and viaducts
- Monitoring of ground deformation induced by underground excavations
- Monitoring of seismic and volcanic activity
NHAZCA can process a wide range of satellite SAR data, characterized by different technical specifications and therefore suitable for various fields of application. Examples include: ERS-1 and ERS-2, ENVISAT, RADARSAT-1, RADARSAT-2, ALOS-PALSAR, ALOS-2, TerraSAR-X, COSMO-SkyMed, SENTINEL-1A, SENTINEL-1B, and SAOCOM.
TInSAR and its applications
NHAZCA is a world leader in land monitoring using Ground-Based SAR Interferometry techniques. In addition to satellite sensors, ground-based sensors are used for several monitoring applications. Ground-Based SAR Interferometry (TInSAR) is a technique for monitoring the displacement of anthropogenic elements, such as structures and infrastructure, and natural elements, such as landslides and rock slopes. Its high measurement accuracy, without the need to install artificial reflectors, together with its high sampling frequency, makes it possible to acquire simultaneous information across the entire scenario illuminated by the sensor, with sub-millimetric accuracy.
Thanks to the SAR configuration, which involves the movement of the radar sensor along a rail, and to specific algorithms developed by NHAZCA that enable integration with 3D models acquired through complementary Laser Scanner surveys, three-dimensional displacement maps can be obtained for the characterization and delineation of unstable sectors.
Furthermore, by using the TInRAR (Real Aperture Radar) configuration, an interferometry-based system for remote static and dynamic monitoring, NHAZCA can carry out infrastructure and structural monitoring, also known as Structural Health Monitoring, of bridges, ancient masonry towers, and other structures, identifying the modal parameters of the structures under analysis. Thanks to rapid installation protocols and the development of the proprietary TRIVIA software, NHAZCA can provide active remote sensing services for different applications, including early warning for civil protection purposes.
The advantages of satellite SAR interferometry
The first key advantage of satellite SAR interferometry is its ability to provide high-precision measurements, with accuracy levels that can reach the millimetre scale. The precision of InSAR is linked to the possibility of carrying out in-depth historical analyses of ground movements by using an extensive archive of radar images dating back to 1992.
This allows us not only to monitor current surface deformation, but also to trace the evolution of these processes over time, reconstructing a complete and detailed view of geological phenomena.
Our Satellite tools
NHAZCA uses a suite of satellite instruments to provide precise and detailed ground motion monitoring on a global scale. These instruments allow us to collect high-resolution data useful for surface deformation analysis and geologic hazard assessment.
InSAR Visualization Tool
The InSAR Visualization Tool is our web-based monitoring data distribution platform that allows you to explore interferometric products and analyze each measurement point by viewing displacement time series.
The platform supports a variety of monitoring data types acquired with different types of monitoring systems and offers the ability to manage complex projects, thanks in part to its customizable and user-friendly interface.
PS ToolBox
PS ToolBox is a GIS plugin designed and developed by NHAZCA for the post-processing of InSAR data.
The plugin includes a set of tools for spatialization, integration and interactive analysis of PSI data, such as:
- Interpolation
- KMZ export
- Filtering
- Interferometric sections
- Linear infrastructure – interference analysis
- Vector decomposition – from ascending and descending orbit datasets
- PS PS Time Series – enhanced visualization tool
- Trend Change Detection – analysis of displacement time series.
Our Satellite tools
NHAZCA uses a suite of satellite instruments to provide precise and detailed ground motion monitoring on a global scale. These instruments allow us to collect high-resolution data useful for surface deformation analysis and geologic hazard assessment.
InSAR visualization tool
The InSAR Visualization Tool is our web-based monitoring data distribution platform that allows you to explore interferometric products and analyze each measurement point by viewing displacement time series.
The platform supports a variety of monitoring data types acquired with different types of monitoring systems and offers the ability to manage complex projects, thanks in part to its customizable and user-friendly interface.
PS ToolBox
- Interpolation
- KMZ export
- Filtering
- Interferometric sections
- Linear infrastructure – interference analysis
- Vector decomposition – from ascending and descending orbit datasets
- PS PS Time Series – enhanced visualization tool
- Trend Change Detection – analysis of displacement time series.
Our terrestrial tools
In addition to satellite instruments, NHAZCA has terrestrial instruments that further extend monitoring and analysis capabilities. All of our technologies are useful for monitoring structures and infrastructure such as buildings, bridges, dams, and slopes, providing precise measurements of displacements and deformations with sub-millimeter accuracy.
TRIVIA - Terrestrial Radar Interferometry Visualization and Analysis
TRIVIA software is the result of more than 10 years of Terrestrial SAR interferometry experience gained from dozens of projects on landslides, dams, rock faces, bridges, buildings and more.
The software can perform advanced analysis of terrestrial SAR imagery by processing data from various radar manufacturers such as IDS GeoRadar, MetaSensing and Echoes.
With TRIVIA, NHAZCA is able to provide customers with superior real-time data processing capabilities.
QUIB – Quick Installation Basemen
The QUIB is a modular and easily transportable metal basement, designed and manufactured by NHAZCA, which allows a monitoring platform with InSAR support infrastructure to be installed very quickly (about 2 hours).
The entire installed system has a maximum footprint of 280 x 60 cm and a height of about 2 m. The QUIB is also equipped with a height adjustment system, making it adaptable to any installation site and support surface. The system can also be fully enclosed with polycarbonate or wooden panels to ensure maximum protection of the instrumentation.
In addition, the rigorous technical solutions to which this device has been designed, meet the requirements of the emergency protocols developed by NHAZCA for civil protection purpose
RAPS – Remote Area Power Supply
RAPS is a power supply system for the InSAR instrumentation, consisting of a modular stand-alone photovoltaic system, storage batteries that store the excess energy produced during sunlight hours to be available at different times of the day, and a backup electric generator (genset) so that the facility can always be powered, even in emergencies.
This allows RAPS to produce electricity to power the TInSAR system even in remote areas. Thanks to an ad hoc energy box built to manage the system, the status of the equipment and the total charge of the system can be continuously monitored remotely.
Corner Reflector
As part of its monitoring services, NHAZCA offers the supply and installation of newly developed artificial reflectors (corner reflectors) that can also be used for satellite InSAR analysis
Corner reflectors are passive targets designed to provide stable InSAR signal enhancement over time, allowing for highly accurate displacement measurements. They are metallic devices that require no power and/or maintenance once installed, and their characteristics (material, shape, and size) allow them to be deployed in strategic areas to provide accurate displacement time series. This capability is particularly valuable in improving the effectiveness of scattering, especially in areas characterized by the absence or scarcity of natural reflectors.
Our terrestrial tools
In addition to satellite instruments, NHAZCA has terrestrial instruments that further extend monitoring and analysis capabilities. All of our technologies are useful for monitoring structures and infrastructure such as buildings, bridges, dams, and slopes, providing precise measurements of displacements and deformations with sub-millimeter accuracy.
TRIVIA – Terrestrial Radar Interferometry VIsualization and Analysis
The software can perform advanced analysis of terrestrial SAR imagery by processing data from various radar manufacturers such as IDS GeoRadar, MetaSensing and Echoes.
With TRIVIA, NHAZCA is able to provide customers with superior real-time data processing capabilities.
QUIB – Quick Installation Basemen
The QUIB is a modular and easily transportable metal basement, designed and manufactured by NHAZCA, which allows a monitoring platform with InSAR support infrastructure to be installed very quickly (about 2 hours).
The entire installed system has a maximum footprint of 280 x 60 cm and a height of about 2 m. The QUIB is also equipped with a height adjustment system, making it adaptable to any installation site and support surface. The system can also be fully enclosed with polycarbonate or wooden panels to ensure maximum protection of the instrumentation.
In addition, the rigorous technical solutions to which this device has been designed, meet the requirements of the emergency protocols developed by NHAZCA for civil protection purposes
RAPS – Remote Area Power Supply
RAPS is a power supply system for the InSAR instrumentation, consisting of a modular stand-alone photovoltaic system, storage batteries that store the excess energy produced during sunlight hours to be available at different times of the day, and a backup electric generator (genset) so that the facility can always be powered, even in emergencies.
This allows RAPS to produce electricity to power the TInSAR system even in remote areas. Thanks to an ad hoc energy box built to manage the system, the status of the equipment and the total charge of the system can be continuously monitored remotely
Corner Reflector
As part of its monitoring services, NHAZCA offers the supply and installation of newly developed artificial reflectors (corner reflectors) that can also be used for satellite InSAR analysis.
Corner reflectors are passive targets designed to provide stable InSAR signal enhancement over time, allowing for highly accurate displacement measurements. They are metallic devices that require no power and/or maintenance once installed, and their characteristics (material, shape, and size) allow them to be deployed in strategic areas to provide accurate displacement time series. This capability is particularly valuable in improving the effectiveness of scattering, especially in areas characterized by the absence or scarcity of natural reflectors.
Industrial partnership in IRIDE program
NHAZCA is part of the winning team of the IRIDE program, managed by the European Space Agency (ESA) with the support of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), which will be completed by 2026. In particular, NHAZCA, in a group led by e-GEOS (ASI/Telespazio) and in collaboration with other key partners, will contribute to support the Ground Motion and Emergency thematic areas. NHAZCA’s active participation in the IRIDE program is a unique opportunity to support communities and governments in improving the safety and resilience of infrastructure.
Why choose NHAZCA
When you choose NHAZCA for InSAR applications, you can count on the support of a multidisciplinary team of experts specializing in geotechnical monitoring and natural hazards management.