CEOS EO HANDBOOK – INSTRUMENT SUMMARY - L-Band SAR -
Full Name L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar Status Proposed
Instrument Agencies DLR, HRC Maturity
Instrument Type Imaging microwave radars Geometry
Instrument Technology Imaging radar (SAR) Sampling Imaging
Data Access Data Format
Measurements and Applications Global observation of dynamic processes in the bio-, cryo-, geo- and hydrosphere.
Resolution Summary
Swath Summary
Accuracy Summary
Waveband Summary L-Band 23.6 cm
MW (~0.1 cm - ~100 cm)
L-Band (2 - 1 GHz)
Instrument Measurements
Measurements Overview
CategoryParameter
Albedo and reflectanceEarth surface albedo
Landscape topographyLand surface topography
Multi-purpose imagery (land)Land surface imagery
Multi-purpose imagery (ocean)Ocean imagery and water leaving spectral radiance
Ocean topography/currentsOcean surface currents (vector)
Sea ice cover, edge and thicknessSea-ice cover
Sea-ice type
Glacier cover
Glacier motion
Snow cover, edge and depthSnow cover
VegetationVegetation type
Above Ground Biomass (AGB)
Thematic Links Global Climate Observing System Essential Climate Variables (GCOS ECVs)
ECVDescriptionProduct(s)ECV Inventory 3.0 Record(s)
Above-ground biomass click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Albedo click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Glaciers click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Ocean Colour click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Sea Ice click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Snow click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Surface Currents click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Instrument Missions
TanDEM-L - TanDEM-L (2028 - 2040)