A novel normalized scanning algorithm for wake detection in SAR images

Abstract

This paper presents a novel normalized scanning algorithm for detecting ship wakes in SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) images. Unlike most of wake detection algorithm is based on Radon transform, the proposed algorithm is based on normalized scanning. The technique takes advantage of the displacement between the ship and perspective wake in azimuth direction. The proposed algorithm can determine the offset in azimuth direction and the movement direction of ship. Then we can get the velocity vector of the ship. Although the computational complexity is very small, the normalized scan algorithm is robust in high noise environment. Experiment work outs are carried over in real SAR images. Results show that the ship wake detection based on normalized scan is better than traditional technique.