Technical documentation

This page presents relevant documentation for end-user to properly manipulate the Sentinel-1 products.

 

Generic Sentinel-1 technical documentation

The documentation of Sentinel-1 products can be found in Sentinel online in the Sentinel-1 SAR document library HERE

This contains documentation on the Level 0 products:

  • The Sentinel-1 SAR Space Packet Protocol Data Unit: specification of Sentinel-1 Level 0 product format

This contains as well documentation on the specification of the Level 1 and Level 2 products:

  • The Sentinel-1 product definition document: definition of targeted Sentinel-1 product performances
  • The Sentinel-1 product specification: specification of Sentinel-1 Level 1 and Level 2 product format
  • The Sentinel-1 auxiliary product specification: specification of Sentinel-1 auxiliary products for both Level 1 and Level 2 processor
  • The Sentinel-1 Level 1 Detailed Processing Model
  • The Sentinel-1 Level 2 Algorithm Theoretical Baseline Document for the three components OWI/OSW/RVL
  • The Algorithm Theoretical Baseline Document explaining how the AUX_SCS (Simulated Cross Spectra) is computed

This contains as well documentation on the Extended Timing Annotation Dataset (ETAD) processor and its products:

  • The Sentinel-1 ETAD ATBD: documentation of the algorithms applied in the ETAD processor
  • The Sentinel-1 ETAD product definition
  • The Sentinel-1 ETAD product specification
  • The Sentinel-1 ETAD Auxiliary product specification

 

Specific Sentinel-1 documentation

 

The following reports are available to adress specific topics in using Sentinel-1 products HERE

  • Guide to Sentinel-1 geocoding
  • Using the RFI annotations
  • Long duration mutual interferences (RFI)
  • Masking "No-value" pixels on GRD products generated by the Sentinel-1 ESA IPF
  • Thermal denoising of products generated by the Sentinel-1 IPF
  • Definition of TOPS SLC deramping function for products generated by the Sentinel-1 IPF
  • Radiometric calibration of the Sentinel-1 products

 

Reference scientific publication from SAR-MPC

Schmidt, K., Schwerdt, M., Hajduch, G., Vincent, P., Recchia, A., & Pinheiro, M. (2023). Radiometric re-compensation of Sentinel-1 SAR data products for artificial biases due to antenna pattern changes. Remote Sensing, 15(5), 1377.

Benchaabane A., Husson R., Pinheiro. M., Hajduch G (2025) Developing a Quality Flag for SAR Ocean Wave Spectrum Partitioning with Machine Learning, Remote Sensing as part of the Special Issue Calibration and Validation of SAR Data and Derived Products


Technical presentation during workshop

Below is a non exhaustive list of presentations performed during workshops

2025

  • Submitted contributions to the CEOS SAR Cal Val Workshop 2025 on:
    • Status and evolutions of Sentinel-1 Level 1 performances
    • Status and evolutions of Sentinel-1 Level 2 performances
    • Benefit of usage of wetland masks for the monitoring of elevation antenna pattern on acquisition over rain forest (in cooperation of SoloEO)
  • Submitted multipe contributions to Living Planet Symposium 2025 on
    • Sentinel-1 mission status
    • performances of L2 products
    • planned evolutions of L2 products
    • past and future of denoising of Sentinel-1 products
    • temperature compensation
    • ionospheric research
    • evolutions of ETAD products

2024

  • Pinheiro, M. et al (2024, November) Sentinel-1 instruments status, product performance and evolutions. In Abstracts Compendium of CEOS WGCV SAR Cal & Val Workshop 2024. Ahmedabad India, Proceedings
  • Recchia, A. et al (2024, November) SAR Calibration Toolbox an open source tool for the quality assessment of SAR data. In Abstracts Compendium of CEOS WGCV SAR Cal & Val Workshop 2024. Ahmedabad India, Proceedings
  • Recchia, A. et al (2024, November) Sentinel-1 Temperature Compensation Emulation: S-1A/B Results and S-1C Commissioning Preparation. In Abstracts Compendium of CEOS WGCV SAR Cal & Val Workshop 2024. Ahmedabad India, Proceedings
  • Pinheiro, M et al (2024, April), Sentinel-1 First Generation: mission status and data quality In Proceedings of EUSAR 2024. Munich Germany, Brochure
  • Mai, B et al (2024, April), Refining Sentinel-1 radiometric and pointing calibration by on-board temperature compensation emulation. In Proceedings of EUSAR 2024. Munich Germany, Brochure

2023

  • Various presentations in CEOS WG Cal & Val SAR 2022, EUSAR 2023, Fringe 2023, IGARSS 2023, SeaSAR 2023

2022

  • Various presentations in CEOS WG Cal & Val SAR 2022, EUSAR 2023, Living Planet Symposium 2022

Using Sentinel-1 data with SNAP

The document of SNAP can be found in the web site of the STEP - Scientific Toolbox Exploitation Portal