Range Migration Algorithm Research Articles

Application of range migration algorithms to imaging with a dynamic metasurface antenna

Dynamic metasurface antennas are planar structures that exhibit remarkable capabilities in controlling electromagnetic wavefronts, advantages that are particularly attractive for microwave imaging. These antennas exhibit strong frequency dispersion and produce rapidly varying radiation patterns. Such behavior presents unique challenges for integration with conventional imaging algorithms. We adapt the range migration algorithm (RMA) for use with dynamic metasurfaces and propose a preprocessing step that ultimately allows for expression of measurements in the spatial frequency domain, from which the fast Fourier transform can efficiently reconstruct the scene. Numerical studies illustrate imaging performance using conventional methods and the adapted RMA, demonstrating that the RMA can reconstruct images with comparable quality in a fraction of the time. The algorithm can be extended to a broad class of complex antennas for application in synthetic aperture radar and MIMO imaging.

Range-Cell-Focusing Algorithm Combined With Enhanced MUSIC for Close Target Imaging

A range-cell-focusing algorithm is proposed in order to improve the quality of the target image. In a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging system, the range resolution depends on the frequency bandwidth and determines the ability to distinguish between targets that are very close to each other. In cases where the resolution and the SNR from the environment are not adequate, targets cannot be accurately visualized. In order to successively classify targets that are close, we are combining an enhanced-multiple-signal-classification spectrum as a weighting function to reproduce the raw data. The proposed algorithm improves classification and separation for close targets while suppressing artifacts in the final images. The targets of interest are stationary point scatterers. The results are obtained from both simulated and experimental data to demonstrate that the proposed algorithm provides better performance than a conventional SAR imaging algorithm, the range migration algorithm.

A High Precision Terahertz Wave Image Reconstruction Algorithm.

With the development of terahertz (THz) technology, the applications of this spectrum have become increasingly wide-ranging, in areas such as non-destructive testing, security applications and medical scanning, in which one of the most important methods is imaging. Unlike remote sensing applications, THz imaging features sources of array elements that are almost always supposed to be spherical wave radiators, including single antennae. As such, well-developed methodologies such as Range-Doppler Algorithm (RDA) are not directly applicable in such near-range situations. The Back Projection Algorithm (BPA) can provide products of high precision at the the cost of a high computational burden, while the Range Migration Algorithm (RMA) sacrifices the quality of images for efficiency. The Phase-shift Migration Algorithm (PMA) is a good alternative, the features of which combine both of the classical algorithms mentioned above. In this research, it is used for mechanical scanning, and is extended to array imaging for the first time. In addition, the performances of PMA are studied in detail in contrast to BPA and RMA. It is demonstrated in our simulations and experiments described herein that the algorithm can reconstruct images with high precision.

Adaptive Back-Projection Algorithm Based on Climb Method for Microwave Imaging

In this paper, we propose a microwave imaging technique that involves an adaptive back-projection (BP) algorithm based on a climb method. In general, the range migration algorithm (RMA) provides high computational efficiency and high accuracy for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. However, RMA involves wavenumber domain interpolation, which may adversely affect the accuracy of the target imaging. The BP algorithm, which has its origins in medical imaging techniques, has been studied to overcome this problem in SAR imaging, because it avoids interpolation associated with domain conversion, but it also has a huge computational cost. Therefore, this paper proposes adaptive processing based on a climb method to find the target indicator as real target responses. The real target responses are predetermined and the raw data are reproduced to reduce the computational cost and to improve the image quality. Finally, the superiority of proposed algorithm is demonstrated using both the simulated and experimental data.

First Demonstration of Airborne SAR With Nonlinear FM Chirp Waveforms

For synthetic aperture radar (SAR), a system impulse response with low sidelobes is very important because sidelobes may interfere with the nearby scatterers and contribute to multiplicative noise. It is well known that a nonlinear frequency-modulation (NLFM) chirp waveform can shape the signal's power spectral density and provide a radar matched filter output with lower sidelobes without loss of the signal-to-noise ratio when compared with the linear frequency-modulation chirp. These advantages make the NLFM waveform to be a promising candidate to improve the imaging quality for SAR. However, so far, to our knowledge, there is no real application of NLFM waveforms for SAR. This letter, for the first time, demonstrates the airborne SAR experiment using an NLFM waveform. In the underlying experiment, the construction of the NLFM signal is investigated and a modified range migration algorithm (RMA) is developed to adapt it for focusing the NLFM SAR data. Both simulation and experimental results exhibit the promising power of the NLFM chirp and show the accuracy of the proposed modified RMA.

Range Resolution Enhancement for Three-Dimensional Millimeter-Wave Holographic Imaging

In three-dimensional (3-D) millimeter-wave (MMW) holographic imaging, high cross-range resolution images can be achieved by synthetic aperture technique. However, the low range resolution that is always limited by the system bandwidth may cause the range profile discontinuous. To overcome this limitation, we present a range resolution enhancement (RRE) algorithm to reconstruct 3-D MMW images with high resolution in both the cross-range and the range domain. The proposed RRE algorithm explores the prior continuity of the target and utilizes the phase unwrapping-based method to retrieve the range-related phase, which can be directly converted into a fine range distribution. Simulation and experimental results show that RRE can give a continuous and smooth range profile that is corrupted into stair-like patches in the conventional range migration algorithm.

Single-Shot Compressive Multiple-Inputs Multiple-Outputs Radar Imaging Using a Two-Port Passive Device

This paper presents a compressive technique that simplifies the architecture of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar imaging systems. By means of a passive device connected to an MIMO array of antennae, a novel approach is introduced to extract the interaction between antennae from a compressed signal measured between two ports. This technique relies on a multiplexing principle that exploits the frequency diversity and it is thus particularly suitable for ultrawideband imaging systems. This paper presents the theoretical principle underlying this compressive technique, defining the key parameters affecting the information retrieval from a measured frequency signal and the prior characterization of the compressive device’s transfer functions. Simulations are performed to demonstrate the potential of the technique for MIMO ultrawideband imaging systems and its compatibility with fast range migration algorithms based on fast Fourier transforms. Finally, an experimental validation is performed with a two-dimensional radiating aperture connected to a compressive device, allowing for the three-dimensional near-field imaging of different targets.

Focusing Bistatic FMCW SAR Signal by Range Migration Algorithm Based on Fresnel Approximation.

Frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technique has recently been employed by synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to decrease the radar cost and volume. However, the operation range is limited by the direct energy leakage from the transmitting channel to receiving channel due to the operation principle of FMCW technique. Bistatic configuration is an efficient way to increase the isolation between the transmitter and receiver, which could significantly increase the radar standoff range. A bistatic FMCW SAR spectrum model is proposed by using the Fresnel approximation in this paper. This model is similar to that of a monostatic FMCW SAR spectrum, which allows the existing imaging algorithms to be used on bistatic image processing. Based on the new model and the characteristics of FMCW signal, a modified range migration algorithm (RMA) for FMCW SAR is proposed to focus the image, which requires less memory and computational load than the traditional RMA. Point-target simulation is used to verify the proposed spectral model and real data processing verified the effectiveness of the proposed RMA.

Focused Synthetic Aperture Radar Processing of Ice-Sounding Data Collected Over the East Antarctic Ice Sheet via the Modified Range Migration Algorithm Using Curvelets

In this paper, we propose a new algorithm to address the speckle noise problem in imaging of ice sheets. It is a wave-equation-based ice-sounding imaging method using curvelets as building blocks of ice-sounding data, which successfully images the topography of ice sheets. First, theory analysis has been carried on to the proposed algorithm. Then, we give the specific steps to implement this algorithm. Finally, we apply this algorithm to the simulation point targets and High-Resolution Ice-Sounding Radar data to prove its validity of imaging of ice sheets. Furthermore, compared with five previous methods in two major aspects—the power of clutter reduction and the equivalent number of looks—the proposed algorithm reduces the speckle noise during the imaging processing without degrading the ability in clutter reduction.

GNSS-based BiSAR imaging using modified range migration algorithm

This paper proposed a new focusing approach for the bistatic SAR systems with a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellite as the transmitter. Because of the long integration time the inherited curvature of the transmitter's trajectory was adopted and the spatial variance of the equivalent velocity was derived under the principal of equivalent slant range model in the system signal model. The proposed focusing approach consists of two-step processing. Firstly, the general Doppler phase from constant velocity of the echo data is focused by modified Stolt mapping. Secondly, the residual nonlinear Doppler phase due to velocity variation is compensated by means of block-processing-based adaptive phase compensation to achieve large scene focusing. The simulation and experimental results validate the proposed algorithm in GNSS-based BiSAR systems.

Circular Radon Transform Inversion Technique in Synthetic Aperture Ultrasound Imaging: an Ultrasound Phantom Evaluation

Abstract The paper presents an overview of theoretical aspects of ultrasound image reconstruction techniques based on the circular Radon transform inversion. Their potential application in ultrasonography in a similar way as it was successfully done in the x-ray computer tomography is demonstrated. The methods employing Radon transform were previously extensively explored in the synthetic aperture radars, geophysics, and medical imaging using x-ray computer tomography. In this paper the main attention is paid to the ultrasound imaging employing monostatic transmit-receive configuration. Specifically, a single transmit and receive omnidirectional source placed at the same spatial location is used for generation of a wide-band ultrasound pulse and detection of back-scattered waves. The paper presents derivation of the closed-form solution of the CRT inversion algorithms by two different approaches: the range-migration algorithm (RMA) and the deconvolution algorithm (DA). Experimentally determined data of ultrasound phantom obtained using a 32-element 5 MHz linear transducer array with 0.48 mm element pitch and 0.36 mm element width and 5 mm height, excited by a 2 sine cycles burst pulse are used for comparison of images reconstructed by the RMA, DA, and conventional synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT). It is demonstrated that both the RMA and SAFT allow better lateral resolution and visualization depth to be achieved as compared to the DA approach. Comparison of the results obtained by the RMA method and the SAFT indicates slight improvement of the lateral resolution for the SAFT of approximately 1.5 and 1.6% at the depth of 12 and 32 mm, respectively. Concurrently, however, the visualization depth increase for the RMA is shown in comparison with the SAFT. Specifically, the scattered echo amplitude increase by the factor of 1.36 and 1.12 at the depth of 22 and 32 mm is demonstrated. It is also shown that the RMA runs about 30% faster than the SAFT and about 12% faster than the DA method

A Fast Radial Scanned Near-Field 3-D SAR Imaging System and the Reconstruction Method

This paper presents a near-field 3-D synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging system for which the 2-D aperture is radially scanned. Compared to the current SAR imaging systems, the proposed system has several advantages such as quick data collection, full 360° inspection of target, and simple image formation processing. However, in radial scan, the samples do not fall on a Cartesian grid, which prevents us from using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) to form SAR image without calling for interpolation. In this paper, the 2-D nonuniform FFT (NUFFT) is used for dealing with the problem. After 2-D NUFFT of the radial sampled data, the 3-D reflectivity image can be efficiently reconstructed by using the 3-D version of the range migration algorithm. The Stolt mapping has been implemented implicitly by another 1-D NUFFT to reduce the artifacts caused by the conventional interpolation processing. In addition, to alleviate the data sampling burden, a compressed 2-D slow-time sampling strategy is also discussed. Finally, the proposed Rad-SAR system and the imaging method are demonstrated using near-field wideband simulation data.

Two-Dimensional Imaging of Ice Sheets of Airborne Radar Sounder via a Combined Modified Range Migration Algorithm Based on ISFT and Beamforming Using Curvelets

We develop and demonstrate a new method to address the surface clutter problem in imaging of ice sheets by airborne radar sounder. This new method utilizes the modified range migration algorithm based on inverse scaled Fourier transform (ISFT) to reduce along-track clutter and the beamforming using curvelets to reduce cross-track clutter. First, theory analysis has been carried on to the proposed method. Then, we give the particular realizing steps to implement this method. At last, we apply this method to the simulation point targets and MCoRDS data to prove its validity of imaging of ice sheets. Furthermore, we show the advantages of the proposed method through comparison with two methods in four major aspects—the power of along-track clutter reduction, the power of cross-track clutter reduction, the equivalent number of looks (ENLs), and the calculating time.

Spaceborne squinted multichannel synthetic aperture radar data focusing

This study analyses echo properties of spaceborne squinted multichannel along the track synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. The highly squint angle and the large transmitted pulse bandwidth lead to Doppler spectrum back folding in the spaceborne squinted case. The extended Doppler bandwidth in the squinted mode increases the processing difficulty of azimuth multichannel data reconstruction. According to echo properties of the spaceborne squinted mode, a new imaging approach for spaceborne squinted multichannel SAR data focusing is proposed. The key point of this imaging approach is azimuth multichannel data preprocessing to resolve the aliased Doppler spectrum caused by both azimuth sub-sampling in each azimuth channel and the highly squint angle. Afterwards, a modified range migration algorithm is taken for consequent equivalent monostatic spaceborne squinted SAR data focusing. Simulation results on point targets and distributed target are given to validate the proposed imaging approach.

Squinted TOPS SAR Imaging Based on Modified Range Migration Algorithm and Spectral Analysis

For the squinted terrain observation by progressive scans (TOPS) imaging mode, three problems need to be considered: azimuth spectrum aliasing, serious range–azimuth coupling, and azimuth time aliasing after range cell migration correction (RCMC). For these problems, a subaperture imaging algorithm based on the modified range migration algorithm (RMA) combined with spectral analysis (SPECAN) is proposed in this letter. Echo data are properly divided into subapertues so that the 2-D spectrum of each subaperture without aliasing can be obtained; then, the modified RMA is used to perform RCMC; finally, the signal is focused in the Doppler domain by SPECAN and deramping after subaperture recombination. Both simulated and real SAR data in the squinted TOPS mode are used to validate the proposed algorithm.

Full-Aperture SAR Data Focusing in the Spaceborne Squinted Sliding-Spotlight Mode

This paper analyzes the signal properties of spaceborne squinted sliding-spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Both the squint angle and the azimuth beam steering during the whole acquisition interval will lead to the Doppler spectrum back-folding. According to the special signal properties of this mode, a new full-aperture focusing approach, which includes three major processing steps, is proposed. In this approach, the first processing step introduces an azimuth convolution and azimuth data mosaic to resolve the azimuth spectral folding phenomenon by generalizing the existing two-step focusing technique for conventional sliding-spotlight SAR data focusing. Afterward, the modified range migration algorithm is adopted to process the resulting raw data. As the azimuth time duration of the raw data is obviously reduced in the first processing step, the obtained SAR image may be back-folded in azimuth. The final azimuth postfiltering step is to resolve the possible aliased SAR image without any azimuth data extension. The proposed full-aperture focusing processor is efficient since only a limited azimuth data extension is required to resolve the back-folded Doppler spectrum and SAR image. Imaging results on simulated raw data validate the proposed imaging approach.

A comparative study of compressed sensing approaches for 3-D synthetic aperture radar image reconstruction

This paper investigates two compressed sensing (CS) approaches that can be used to reconstruct 3-D synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images with undersampled measurements. Combining CS with the range migration algorithm (RMA), using either Stolt transform or non-uniform fast Fourier transform (NUFFT), yields two different approaches: Stolt-CS and NUFFT-CS. These approaches can decrease the load of data acquisition while recovering satisfactory 3-D SAR images through l1-norm optimization. A simulated image is used as the ground truth to facilitate the comparative study. The 2-D structured similarity (SSIM) index is extended to 3-D to assess the quality of the reconstructed images. Both the simulation and the experimental reconstruction results demonstrate that the Stolt-CS contributes little to image quality improvement or computational complexity reduction due to the inaccuracy of the Stolt transform. In contrast, the NUFFT-CS achieves a good tradeoff between the reconstruction quality and the computational costs.

Advanced range migration algorithm for ultra‐high resolution spaceborne synthetic aperture radar

To achieve ultra-high resolution images, processing algorithm of spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) faces significant challenges such as the curved orbit, the unneglectable propagation time and the space-variant effective velocity. In the light of imaging requirements of the ultra-high resolution spaceborne SAR, an advanced range migration algorithm (ARMA) is presented in this study. Firstly, a new slant range model is developed by incorporating straight orbit approximation with additional linear, cubic and quartic term. Subsequently, a two-dimensional spectrum is derived by making use of Fourier transform pairs and the approximate azimuth stationary point based on the new range model. Finally, a novel RMA is derived. In this algorithm, the accurate range cell migration correction (RCMC) is done through two steps: the effective velocity dependence RCMC and the bulk RCMC, and the range-variant azimuth filtering is accomplished. Simulations are carried out to verify our proposed algorithm, which indicate that ARMA can keep precise even the resolution is up to decimeter level.

Novel approach based on deramping technique for squinted sliding spotlight SAR imaging

This paper investigates a novel approach based on the deramping technique for squinted sliding spotlight Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging to resolve the azimuth spectrum aliasing problem. First of all, the properties of the azimuth spectrum and the squint angle impacts on the azimuth spectrum aliasing problem are analyzed. Based on the analysis result, an operation of filtering is added to the azimuth preprocessing step of traditional Two-Step Focusing Approach (TSPA) to resolve the azimuth folding problem and remove the influence of the squint angle on the azimuth spectrum aliasing problem. Then, a modified Range Migration Algorithm (RMA) is performed to obtain the precise focused image. Furthermore, the focused SAR image folding problem of traditional TSPA is illuminated in this paper. An azimuth post-processing step is proposed to unfold the aliased SAR image. Simulation experiment results prove that the proposed approach can solve the spectrum aliasing problem and process squinted sliding spotlight data efficiently.

NEW DEVELOPMENT OF TWO-STEP PROCESSING APPROACH FOR SPOTLIGHT SAR FOCUSING IN PRESENCE OF SQUINT

This paper analyzes the azimuth spectrum folding problem which arises from the dependence of the Doppler centroid on range frequency in squinted spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Based on the analysis, a novel approach for squinted spotlight SAR is proposed in this paper. In this approach, an azimuth preprocessing step including a deramping operation and an operation of azimuth spectrum replicating and flltering is introduced to eliminate spectrum folding problem. Then, a modifled Range Migration Algorithm (RMA) is adopted to process the preprocessed data. This approach extends the focusing capacity of traditional two-step processing approach from broadside spotlight SAR to squinted case. Moreover, this approach is e-cient due to a limited azimuth data extension to resolve the spectrum aliasing problem. Experimental results on simulated raw data validate the proposed approach.