Satellite monitoring of ground deformation

Atlas InSAR is Sixense’s innovative Radar Interferometry (InSAR) solution to measure ground deformation and structure stability with millimetric precision through satellite monitoring.

Based on radar satellite images, advanced processing Atlas InSAR provides millions of measurement points in areas of interest, either for construction or for maintenance activities.

Through all project stages – design, construction or operation – satellite monitoring can provide both a comprehensive map of terrain behavior over large areas as well as high resolution detailed analysis of single structures.

Atlas InSAR is a remote sensing technology that provides results without the need for on-site intervention. It is also a cost-efficient tool for risk management and optimising instrumentation networks.

Atlas InSAR plays an increasing role in monitoring and mitigating the impacts of both natural and man-made sources of ground motion.

Atlas InSAR solutions

Atlas InSAR – Historical studies

Historical ground deformation maps for a precise understanding of terrain and infrastucture behaviour

Read more Atlas InSAR – Historical studies

Atlas InSAR – Monitoring

Regular and flexible updates of ground and infrastructure displacement

Principles of satellite monitoring

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR)

Radar interferometry is a satellite remote sensing technique capable of measuring millimetric motion of terrain over wide areas.

InSAR uses two or more Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images acquired over the same area at different times to derive landscape topography and detect ground deformation patterns.

A SAR sensor transmits electromagnetic pulses toward the Earth’s surface and records the backscattered signals. Unlike optical sensors, SAR can operate both day and night and under all- weather conditions.

When several measurements are compared the difference indicates ground deformation over time.

For any ground point, satellite time series enable the follow-up of phenomena every few days during the monitoring period.

A step further to get millimetric precision

Atlas is Sixense’s InSAR processing chain designed to monitor geotechnical and structural deformations.

The Atlas processing chain is based on the most advanced PSI (Persistent Scatterer Interferometry) methodology and takes conventional InSAR a step further to achieve millimetric precision of the ground motion readings.

The PSI technique requires an initial stack of at least fifteen SAR images to reach millimetric precision. The algorithm identifies common points (Persistent Scatterers) within the stack of images from which accurate measurements can be derived throughout the study period.

The outputs of Atlas processing are maps presenting accumulated displacement and mean velocity deformation throughout the study period for each measured point.

Applications

Atlas InSAR is a technology that makes industries and communities safer, operations more efficient, and the understanding of ground behavior more precise. It is has many industry applications:

Civil Engineering:
Monitor the stability of entire cities as well as tunnels, bridges, buildings, viaducts, and other key infrastructures. Control ground deformation at every stage of a project, from design to construction and maintenance.

Mining:
Extensively used in both open-pit and underground mining to remotely track ground deformation across critical assets. Our tools and expertise support decision-making throughout the mining lifecycle, from exploration to operations and mine closure.

GeoHazards:
Detect precursor slope movements and assess ground impacts after events such as floods or heavy rainfall. Through Atlas InSAR Sixense helps clients anticipate, monitor, and mitigate geohazard and climate-related risks, fostering safer and more resilient territories for future generations.

Oil & Gas:
Monitor ground deformation linked to extraction, injection, or storage activities. Ensure pipeline stability and support compliance with HSE requirements.

Characteristics and benefits

Millimetric precision: up to 1 mm/year and 2-3 mm precision on single measurement points
Non-invasive system: remote solution without site intervention and free of maintenance
High measurement frequency: 3, 4, 6, 8, 11 or 12 days between acquisitions depending on satellites
High density of measurement points: more than 50,000 points/km2 in urban areas
Coverage of large areas: monitoring over remote and very extensive areas (thousands of sq. km)
Retrospective analyses: past ground motion analysis from 1992 using archive imagery
On-demand monitoring: update frequency adjusted to magnitude of motion and project needs
Forensic analyses and litigation support: a valuable tool for technical investigations and legal cases.
Integrated expertise: Sixense stands out by combining InSAR data with ground instrumentation, offering a unique and comprehensive monitoring solution.
Web GIS platform: User-friendly interface for a quick and easy storage, handling and interpretation of the information

The additional benefits of using our Atlas InSAR solution

A unique competence combining InSAR data and Ground Instrumentation data

• Integrated ground and space sensor monitoring solutions
• Applicable to many industries
• More than 800 engineers dedicated to construction
• 10+ years of radar data processing expertise

Atlas InSAR - a high quality processing chain

• In-house InSAR solution developed in 2004
• Constantly evolving
• Compatible with all satellite sensors
• Adapts to new SAR data volumes
• Ready for next-generation missions

Beyond Monitoring - advanced web-GIS platform

• Actionable InSAR data
• User-friendly and intuitive
• Customised insights
• Advanced analytics and filtering tools
• Multi-sensor integration
• Holistic asset control