What files are available for my SAR order?

CPHD: The least processed form of data provided is Compensated Phase History Data (CPHD). It is important to note that this file is not included by default and does come at an additional cost. You can add this file to your delivery in "Additional Options" when tasking.

SICD (Sensor Independent Complex Data): After compensating for the effects of motion at the CPHD stage, Umbra uses a well-known algorithm called the Polar Format Algorithm (PFA) to further refine data into complex phase information (SICD) and amplitude data (delivered as a nitf-file, following the National Image Transfer Format standard). Unlike CPHD, SICD files have been processed through an "image formation algorithm" and associated metadata has been adapted to meet a generic level of "independence" from the sensor that generated it. Therefore, while SICD files are more "opinionated" than CPHD, they are also less idiosyncratic. The "Polar Format Algorithm" (PFA) is used for image formation.

• The sensor independence of the SICD product refers to the ability of the allowed pixel array and metadata options to accurately describe the image products from many sensors and data processing systems. 
• Sensor independence does NOT mean that all products have the same format for the pixel array or the same set of metadata parameters.

SIDD (Sensor Independent Derived Data): SIDD Design provides metadata specifications for common tasks which are designed to support basic exploitation, geographic measurements, exploitation, and proper visual display. Additionally, similar to SICD, SIDD is an open, standardized specification for SAR data developed and maintained by the US National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA).

GEC (Geocoded Ellipsoid Corrected): GEC data is finally created as an aid in easy visual interpretation of the SAR data, and only contains the backscatter data in an easy to access GeoTIFF format. This data can be visualized in most image-viewing software, and represents are good starting point for people that are new to SAR, and wish to get a better understanding of what the data looks like. The geocoding is only ellipsoid corrected, so in hilly or mountainous terrain, the locations within the image are expected to be a bit incorrect.