A Three-Step Data Acquisition Optimization Algorithm for Hourly 3-D Deformation Field Construction Based on GNSS-InBSAR

A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based bistatic synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InBSAR) system enables 3-D deformation monitoring through the association of measurements from multiple navigation satellites. The system can further utilize diverse satellite combinations to obtain 3-D measurements at different time periods, overcoming the reorbit time limitations of traditional InSAR and achieving hourly deformation monitoring. However, the abundance of navigation satellites introduces significant flexibility in transmitter selection, and the constrained data processing capacity of receivers poses critical challenges for high-frequency data acquisition design. This article proposes a three-step data acquisition optimization algorithm for hourly 3-D deformation field construction based on GNSS-InBSAR. First, the receiver location is optimized based on the uniform distribution assumption of transmitters. Second, a multifactor optimization model is established to obtain high-quality acquisition time points and corresponding satellite combinations, including evaluation algorithms for mirror-image interference and theoretical 3-D deformation accuracy. Finally, the optimal acquisition plan is generated using the greedy algorithm, accompanied by a short interval deformation output method. Experimental validation using BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) raw data demonstrates the algorithm’s effectiveness in achieving 3-D deformation monitoring at a 2-h interval. The 3-D deformation monitoring accuracy is verified by differential GNSS equipment.