Continuous Wave Synthetic Aperture Radar Research Articles

Doppler Factor in the Omega-k Algorithm for Pulsed and Continuous Wave Synthetic Aperture Radar Raw Data Processing

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) raw data do not have a direct application; therefore, SAR raw signal processing algorithms are used to generate images that are used for various required applications. Currently, there are several algorithms focusing SAR raw data such as the range-Doppler algorithm, Chirp Scaling algorithm, and Omega-k algorithm, with these algorithms being the most used and traditional in SAR raw signal processing. The most prominent algorithm that operates in the frequency domain for focusing SAR raw data obtained by a synthetic aperture radar with large synthetic apertures is the Omega-k algorithm, which operates in the two-dimensional frequency domain; therefore, in this paper, we used the Omega-k algorithm to produce SAR images and modify the Omega-k algorithm by adding the Doppler factor to improve the accuracy of SAR raw data processing obtained by the continuous wave and pulsed frequency modulated linear frequency modulated radar system from the surfaces of interest. On the other hand, for the case of unmanned aerial vehicle-borne linear frequency modulated continuous wave (LFM-CW) SAR systems, we added motion compensation to the modified Omega-k algorithm. Finally, the testing and validation of the developed Omega-k algorithm used simulated and real SAR raw data for both pulsed synthetic aperture and continuous wave radars. The real SAR raw data used for the validation of the modified Omega-k algorithm were the raw data obtained by the micro advanced synthetic aperture radar (MicroASAR) system, which is an LFM-CW synthetic aperture radar installed on board an unmanned aerial system and the raw data obtained by European remote sensing (ERS-2) satellite with a synthetic aperture radar installed.

Nonlinearity-Compensated Short-Range FMCW Radar for Weak Target Imaging

An easily implementable, low-cost, and portable broadband frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system is presented for short-range imaging applications. Design considerations and radar performance metrics are discussed in detail while investigating systematic and nonsystematic performance-limiting factors. This article introduces a signal processing procedure based on a closed-form comprehensive mathematical model to characterize the impact of the nonlinear frequency sweep on radar performance. Based on the proposed model, the nonlinearity is compensated using the time-resampling technique and without needing a reference response. A single-zone calibration does not provide enough accuracy when multiple targets are widely distributed in the cross-range direction. A range-and angle-dependent calibration scheme is proposed to mitigate the second-order effects more precisely, which are otherwise difficult to model mathematically. Detecting less reflective targets in the presence of a strong scatterer is challenging. A range-gating method based on a tunable active bandpass filter (BPF) is proposed to improve the radar system’s sensitivity by suppressing the dominant reflection and enhancing the weaker scatterer. The results are verified by developing SAR images of targets in free space and through a residential wall.

Sparse Reconstruction of SFCWSAR Based on an Approximate Observation Operator

The traditional compressed sensing SFCWSAR (Stepped Frequency Continuous Wave Synthetic Aperture Radar) sparse reconstruction algorithm consumes a lot of computer memory and cannot compensate the range migration in the same pulse group. Based on this, this paper proposes a SFCWSAR sparse reconstruction algorithm based on an approximate observation operator. First, the algorithm replaces the accurate observation operator with the approximate observation operator, which greatly reduces the computer memory consumption while the algorithm is running and realizes the compensation of the range migration in the SFCWSAR pulse group. Furthermore, the SFCWSAR sub-band echo data under full sampling conditions are used to modify the important parameter of the Doppler center frequency of the approximate observation operator, which significantly improves the reconstruction accuracy of the scene. The SFCWSAR data show that, compared with the conventional sparse autofocus algorithm, the proposed algorithm takes less memory and can reconstruct scenes with high accuracy.

Clutter removal in millimeter wave GB-SAR images using OTSU’s thresholding method

In this study, a filtering method based on the threshold value of normalized synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data is proposed to eliminate clutter in millimeter wave ground based synthetic aperture radar (GB-SAR) images. In the proposed method, first, stepped frequency continuous wave SAR data are reconstructed by using the back-projection algorithm and focused complex SAR data are obtained. Then, the amplitude values of the complex SAR data are normalized and the best threshold values to distinguish the target from clutter is determined by the OTSU’s thresholding method. Next, a filter mask is created that cancels all data below the computed threshold values. The mask matrix is finally multiplied with the resulted GB-SAR data to eliminate all clutter from the image. With the proposed technique, the best threshold value is determined automatically by directly processing the raw data without converting the SAR data into any RGB images. The proposed technique is validated through real GB-SAR experiments that were carried out in the frequency band of 78-81 GHz. In the experiments, challenging GB-SAR data are obtained using high cluttered background materials, and very successful filtering operations are performed with the proposed technique.

Parameter Design and Imaging Method of Spaceborne Azimuth Interrupted FMCW SAR

Spaceborne azimuth interrupted frequency modulation continuous wave (AI-FMCW) synthetic aperture radar (SAR), known as a novel system to observe the characteristics of ground objects, employs a single antenna to transmit and receive continuous waves, thus different from traditional frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) SAR that needs two antennas. However, due to the single antenna, there is a phenomenon that the transmitting of several continuous waves could be unavailable while replaced by receiving radar echoes. The process of switching the transmitter ON and OFF will leave gaps in the synthetic aperture. In this case, traditional imaging algorithms such as the wavenumber domain algorithm (WDA) cannot acquire clear focused images, resulting in the blurred ones corrupted by ghost targets. To solve the problem mentioned above, this letter presents an image restoration algorithm to improve the AI-FMCW SAR image performance. In this letter, there are two main contributions: 1) some key parameters of the AI-FMCW SAR system are designed and 2) a method based on Richardson–Lucy (RL) deconvolution algorithm is applied to AI-FMCW SAR imaging to suppress ghost targets. Finally, a case of the Ku-band AI-FMCW SAR system is given, and experiments via simulated AI-FMCW SAR data are conducted to validate the proposed method.

Azimuth Interrupted FMCW SAR for High-Resolution Imaging

Azimuth interrupted frequency modulation continuous-wave synthetic aperture radar (AI-FMCW SAR) is a novel type of light and miniaturized sensor that works on satellites, which can transmit and receive signals with a single antenna. Different from conventional pulse SAR, the instantaneous duty cycle of pulse is close to 100%. Several pulses could not be transmitted and would be replaced by receiving echoes. There will be gaps in the received echoes. It is necessary to reconstruct the gapped data; otherwise, there will be ghosting with traditional imaging algorithms. The current algorithms for reconstructing the gapped data are computationally time-consuming and not suitable for high-resolution imaging. Therefore, a new imaging algorithm is proposed to focus on the AI-FMCW SAR raw data via subaperture processing, which is called subaperature sparse reconstructing technique (SSRT). It can significantly suppress ghost targets and has a high calculation speed. In this letter, the spaceborne AI-FMCW SAR signal model was proposed first. Then, SSRT was proposed to process the AI-FMCW SAR data, in which the generalized orthogonal matching pursuit (GOMP) algorithm was used to reconstruct the signals. Finally, the simulation experiments verified the effectiveness and rapidity of the proposed approach.

Spaceborne Interrupted Frequency Modulation Continuous Wave SAR Imaging Based on Accumulated Aperture Interpolation Technique

The Intermittent Frequency Modulation Continuous Wave (IFMCW) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mode solves the problem that the spaceborne Frequency Modulation Continuous Wave (FMCW) SAR must be bistatic by alternately transmitting and receiving signals in different time intervals. However, in this mode, the radar antenna will work intermittently in the transmitting and receiving state, resulting in periodical gaps in the echo data. In order to solve the above problems, a Missing-data Iterative Adaptive imaging processing Approach (MIAA) is proposed, based on Accumulated Aperture Interpolation Technique (AAIT) to recover the data gaps. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively recover missing data, thus significantly improving imaging quality and greatly suppressing the artifacts energy caused by the periodical data gaps.

Sea Surface Imaging with a Shortened Delayed-Dechirp Process of Airborne FMCW SAR for Ocean Monitoring on Emergency

A sea surface imaging technique for an emergency response using a ready-made frequency modulated continuous wave–synthetic aperture radar (FMCW SAR) system and its experimental results are described in this paper. The optimal range of radiowave incidence angle for sea surface imaging was analyzed by a theoretical scattering model and measurement data, and it was properly applied to the FMCW SAR system by readjusting the delayed-dechirp process. Raw data acquired through flight experiments were reconstructed to SAR image by the range-doppler algorithm. To verify the performance of the reconstructed sea surface image, dual-channel images collected by the configuration of the along-track interferometry were used, and then performance indicators such as signal attenuation, coherence, and phase difference were analyzed. Through this experimental study, it was confirmed that the ready-made FMCW SAR system without a function of the incident angle control can also conduct limited missions for maritime observation. It is possible to be an alternative resource for emergency response, in which the cases are requiring urgent maritime disaster detection and analysis.

On the Frequency Sweep Rate Estimation in Airborne FMCW SAR Systems

Use of Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems requires to accurately know the electronic parameters of the system. In particular, the use of an incorrect value of the Frequency Sweep Rate (FSR) introduces geometric distortions in the focused images. Recently, a method, that we name FSR Estimate Through Corner reflectors (FSRETC), has been proposed to estimate the FSR value actually employed by the radar. The method is based on the use of the SAR image focused with the available erroneous FSR. Moreover, it exploits a number of Corner Reflectors (CRs) deployed over the illuminated area. In this work, we provide an assessment of the capabilities of the FSRETC algorithm. The overall analysis is performed through the use of a real dataset consisting of 10 acquisitions carried out in 2018 (5 acquisitions) and 2019 (5 acquisitions) with an airborne FMCW SAR system. The presented experimental analysis shows that even with a single acquisition, use of two CRs sufficiently far from each other in the range direction, allows achieving an accurate estimate of the searched FSR. Moreover, it is shown that the obtained estimate is very stable over the time. Therefore, the overall procedure can be applied only once, since the estimated values can be safely used for the subsequent missions, at least for the time interval considered in the work, that is, 14 months. In addition, the presented results pose the basis for an enhanced measurement strategy that allows effective application of the FSRETC algorithm through the use of only one CR.

Adaptation of stepped frequency continuous waveform to range-Doppler algorithm for SAR signal processing

In this paper, a novel and complete derivation of the range doppler algorithm (RDA) formulation is developed for stepped frequency continuous wave (SFCW) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) usage. As the RDA has been originally developed for linear frequency modulated (LFM) pulse excited SAR data, the detailed mathematical derivation of SFCW based RDA formulation is presented with similarities, differences and additions to the traditional LFM-RDA formulation for comparison. Then, the developed SFCW-RDA was tested with simulation data and the performance of the algorithm is determined by examining some important parameters including impulse response width, peak to sidelobe ratio, integrated side lobe ratio, range resolution, and azimuth resolution. The performance metrics of the SFCW-RDA in comparison to LFM-RDA thru the constructed SAR images have proven the implementation validity of the proposed technique.

Piecewise Constant Doppler Algorithm: Performance Analysis, Further Simplification, and Motion Compensation

The piecewise constant Doppler (PCD) algorithm is a novel radar imaging process recently proposed for the generalized continuous-wave synthetic aperture radar (GCW-SAR). This article presents a detailed theoretical analysis on the PCD algorithm's performance and proposes a further complexity-reduced PCD algorithm with motion compensation (MOCO) suitable for practical applications. First, the difference between conventional SAR imaging and PCD imaging, i.e., the zeroth-order versus the first-order slant range approximation, is revealed. Exact ambiguity function expressions of the PCD imaging in range and azimuth directions, respectively, are then derived. An error function of the PCD imaging as compared with the ideal matched filtering method is further defined and shown to be a function of an image quality factor, which can be used to quantify the PCD imaging performance. Finally, a faster and more flexible imaging process, called decimated PCD algorithm, is proposed, by which the image azimuth spacing can be easily extended, and hence, the computational complexity can be significantly reduced. The decimated PCD implementation incorporated with the MOCO is developed for practical GCW-SAR applications, and its imaging error lower-bounded by the PCD imaging error function is analyzed accordingly. Simulation and experimental results validate the theoretical analysis of the PCD imaging and show that the decimated PCD algorithm can achieve a high imaging quality at low cost.

Millimeter-wave SFCW SAR imaging system based on in-phase signal measurement with simplified transceiver

A conventional millimeter-wave stepped frequency continuous wave (SFCW) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging system generally utilizes IQ modulation technique to acquire the amplitude and phase of the waves scattered from a target object. Due to measure both in-phase signal and quadrature signal, the transceiver of the conventional system is complicate and costly, and the IQ imbalance problem makes the system difficult to calibrate. To reduce hardware complexity and enhance efficiency-cost ratio, a novel SFCW SAR imaging system only measuring in-phase signal is proposed and demonstrated. For lack of quadrature signal measurement, an algorithm based on Fourier transform is proposed to estimate the amplitude and phase. The ultimate images are obtained through an image-reconstruction algorithm, which uses the estimated amplitude and phase as input parameters. The proposed system is verified by both simulation and experiment, where the frequencies are set from 24GHz to 30GHz. The imaging results with high resolution and low noise are demonstrated. Compared to the conventional system, the image quality of the proposed system is almost identical, but the transceiver of the proposed system is greatly simplified.

Back-projection imaging algorithm of random noise frequency modulation continuous wave SAR

The combination of random noise frequency-modulation continuous wave technology and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) promises a cost-effective, low probability of intercept and high electromagnetic compatibility. This paper analyses the time-domain restricting algorithms for random noise frequency modulation continuous wave (RNFMCW) SAR. Two versions of the back-projection algorithm are proposed. At first, the radar antenna continuous motion in a pulse repetition period of RNFMCW SAR is analysed. Then the phase term which is caused by the continuous motion is described by a approximate expression with Taylor expansion. Meanwhile, both the start-stop approximate back-projection algorithm and the modified back-projection algorithm are proposed. In the end, with the help of numerical simulation, the limitations of the start-stop approximation back-projection algorithm and the validity of the modified back-projection algorithms are illustrated.

Back-projection imaging algorithm of random noise frequency modulation continuous wave SAR

The combination of random noise frequency-modulation continuous wave technology and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) promises a cost-effective, low probability of intercept and high electromagnetic compatibility. This paper analyses the time-domain restricting algorithms for random noise frequency modulation continuous wave (RNFMCW) SAR. Two versions of the back-projection algorithm are proposed. At first, the radar antenna continuous motion in a pulse repetition period of RNFMCW SAR is analysed. Then the phase term which is caused by the continuous motion is described by a approximate expression with Taylor expansion. Meanwhile, both the start-stop approximate back-projection algorithm and the modified back-projection algorithm are proposed. In the end, with the help of numerical simulation, the limitations of the start-stop approximation back-projection algorithm and the validity of the modified back-projection algorithms are illustrated.

Design of an antenna array for a LFM-CW synthetic aperture radar prototype

This paper deals with the design of two identical 1 × 4 patch antenna arrays for a linear frequency modulated (LFM) continuous wave (CW) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) prototype. The theoretical design is carried out by using the empirical equations available in the literature, while the design optimization is performed by numerical methods using two commercial full wave simulators. Once the antennas are built they are experimentally characterized and incorporated into a radar prototype implemented at the Ecuadorian Space Institute. The radar is tested in a probing polygon and the horizontal resolution is estimated. A measured azimuthal resolution value very close to the theoretical one is achieved

Sparse Scene Recovery for High-Resolution Automobile FMCW SAR via Scaled Compressed Sensing

This paper introduces a sparse scene reconstruction algorithm for automobile frequency-modulated continuous-wave synthetic aperture radar (FMCW SAR) through scaled compressed sensing (CS). An FMCW radar leads to low manufacturing cost, compact realization, and low transmission power. An automobile SAR is more economical and easier to implement than typical SAR platforms (e.g., satellites and aircraft). We apply CS to randomly subsampled raw data of automobile FMCW SAR for sparse reconstruction. We exploit the fact that the velocity of an automobile is significantly lower than that of the SAR platforms, which leads to a vastly narrow bandwidth of an azimuth-matched filter in the azimuth compression of the range-Doppler algorithm (RDA). Low-frequency azimuth data have a fundamental effect on azimuth compression. We propose a new reconstruction scheme, scaled CS, which specializes in low-frequency information recovery for automobile SAR. The scheme is based on basis pursuit denoising (BPDN). A Ku-band FMCW SAR system is developed to verify the performance of the proposed algorithm. We mount our system on an automobile and collect FMCW SAR raw data in the stripmap mode with a van maintained a constant speed on a highway. The proposed reconstruction algorithm shows improved recovery performance for automobile FMCW SAR, which is validated by processing a high-resolution real SAR image.

A Millimeter-Wave GCW-SAR Based on Deramp-on-Receive and Piecewise Constant Doppler Imaging

A novel generalized continuous-wave synthetic aperture radar (GCW-SAR) based on deramp-on-receive operating in millimeter-wave frequency is proposed in this article. With deramp-on-receive, the receiver sampling rate is drastically reduced, and the downsampled 1-D raw data can be obtained from the received beat signal. Further adopting piecewise constant Doppler (PCD) imaging in the digital domain, a GCW-SAR image can be easily reconstructed by using the existing frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar system. The effects of deramp-on-receive in PCD imaging are analyzed accordingly. The short wavelength of the millimeter-wave carrier used in the proposed GCW-SAR enables high azimuth resolution as well as a short synthetic aperture, which, in turn, significantly reduces the imaging computational complexity. Simulation and experimental results confirm the advantages of the proposed GCW-SAR.

Extended wavenumber domain algorithm for equivalent squinted linear frequency modulated continuous wave SAR imaging

Ability to acquire high-resolution, phase-preserved images is an important requirement in modern synthetic aperture radar (SAR) applications. Wavenumber domain algorithms are good choices to achieve this objective without approximation in the wavenumber reversal process. However, when squint angle gets larger, even wavenumber domain algorithms suffer from resolution and computational efficiency degradations. In order to accommodate wavenumber domain algorithms to highly squinted SAR imaging by exploiting squint minimization and two-dimensional interpolation schemes, the proposed extended wavenumber domain algorithm possesses the advantages of maximum spectrum utilization, processing efficiency, and good interpretation of the two-dimensional interpolation. It can also be easily incorporated with motion compensation without complicating the motion analysis. Simulations and real data experiments validate our proposed algorithm.

Parameters estimation and imaging of moving target for frequency-modulated continuous-wave synthetic-aperture radar system

According to frequency-modulated continuous-wave synthetic-aperture radar, we establish the signal model of a moving target and propose an algorithm for target parameters estimation and imaging. The key procedures of moving target imaging include velocities estimation and range migration correction. Compared with conventional methods, the effect introduced from the along-track velocity is taken into account during the range migration correction to improve the correction accuracy. Moreover, fractional Fourier transform is adopted to estimate the Doppler parameters. To summarize, the proposed method has three advantages. First, by carrying out rough and precise estimation separately, both accurate velocity estimation and better robustness are obtained. Second, this method is available for moving targets with Doppler ambiguity. Third, the third-order phase error derived from moving target is taken into account to improve the azimuth compression result. Finally, a complete flowchart of the proposed method is presented and is verified by both simulation and real data.

Generalized Continuous Wave Synthetic Aperture Radar for High Resolution and Wide Swath Remote Sensing

A generalized continuous wave synthetic aperture radar (GCW-SAR) concept is proposed in this paper. By using full-duplex radio frontend and continuous wave signaling, the GCW-SAR system can overcome a number of limitations inherent within the existing SAR systems and achieve high-resolution and wide-swath remote sensing with low-power signal transmission. Unlike the conventional pulsed SAR and the frequency-modulated continuous-wave SAR, the GCW-SAR reconstructs a radar image by directly correlating the received 1-D raw data after self-interference cancellation with predetermined location-dependent reference signals. A fast imaging algorithm, called the piecewise constant Doppler (PCD) algorithm, is also proposed, which produces the radar image recursively in the azimuth direction without any intermediate step, such as range compression and migration compensation, as required by conventional algorithms. By removing the stop-and-go assumption or slow-time sampling in azimuth, the PCD algorithm not only achieves better imaging quality but also allows for more flexible waveform and system designs. Analyses and simulations show that the GCW-SAR tolerates significant self-interference and works well with a large selection of various system parameters. The work presented in this paper establishes a solid theoretical foundation for next-generation imaging radars.