Squinted Spotlight Synthetic Aperture Radar Research Articles

Squint Spotlight SAR Imaging by Two-Step Scaling Transform-Based Extended PFA and 2-D Autofocus

In this article, a novel imaging algorithm by combining two-step scaling transform (TSST) with structure-aided 2-D autofocus is proposed for the squint spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR). First, on the basis of planar wavefront assumption, a modified range-frequency linear scaling transform (MRFLST) and an azimuth-time nonlinear scaling transform (ATNST) are proposed to eliminate the coupling between range-frequency and azimuth-time of the received echo. Furthermore, to improve the efficiency, the MRFLST is implemented by using the principle of chirp scaling (PCS), which involves only complex multiplications and fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) without any interpolation, meanwhile, a constant scaling factor (CSF) selecting criteria is defined to avoid range spectrum aliasing. Then, to correct the phase error caused by the range measurement error and atmospheric propagation effects, the prior 2-D phase error structure implied in the TSST is analyzed. Finally, by integrating the derived 2-D phase error structure and range frequency fragmentation technique, a new 2-D autofocus algorithm is presented to improve the image quality. Simulated and real data experiments are carried out to verify the proposed algorithm.

A Novel High-Squint Spotlight SAR Raw Data Simulation Scheme in 2-D Frequency Domain

Raw data simulation is the front-end work of synthetic aperture radar (SAR), which is of great significance. For high-squint spotlight SAR, the frequency domain simulation algorithm is invalid because of the range-azimuth coupling effect. In order to realize high-squint spotlight SAR raw data simulation in the frequency domain, an algorithm based on coordinate transformation and non-uniform fast Fourier transform (NUFFT) is proposed. This algorithm generates broadside raw data using a two-dimensional (2-D) frequency simulation algorithm; then, coordinate transformation is used by analyzing the characteristics of broadside and high-squint spotlight SAR. After coordinate transformation, NUFFT is carried out to realize the coupling relation in the 2-D frequency domain. Since the coordinate transformation ignores the influence of range walk, the range walk is compensated after NUFFT. As a result, compared with the traditional squint spotlight SAR frequency domain simulation algorithm, the proposed algorithm can improve the accuracy of point and distributed target imaging results, and the efficiency of the proposed algorithm can be significantly improved in contrast the traditional time domain algorithm.

2-D Frequency Autofocus for Squint Spotlight SAR Imaging With Extended Omega-K

In the existing time-domain autofocus algorithms, the azimuth deramping operation will change the azimuth-independent phase into the azimuth-dependent phase, which may greatly reduce the accuracy of autofocus processing in squint spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR). In contrast, the frequency-domain autofocus algorithms can avoid this problem because it does not involve the azimuth deramping operation. However, the existing frequency-domain autofocus algorithms are proposed based on the assumption of broadside mode, which cannot be directly applied to the squint mode. Therefore, this article extends the existing frequency-domain autofocus algorithm to the squint mode combined with the extended Omega-K (EOK) algorithm. Furthermore, a space division (SD) algorithm is embedded into the proposed algorithm as preprocessing, which can effectively compensate for the azimuth-dependent motion error. The simulation and real data are processed to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm.

보간법 기반 가변 PRF 스퀸트 Spotlight SAR 처리 기법

The squinted spotlight SAR(Synthetic Aperture Radar) is an effective imaging mode for obtaining high-resolution SAR imagery in advance. However, a large-range cell migration heavily burdens the storage equipment, and the SAR system should consider its high risk for blind range and Nadir interference. Recently, the PRF(Pulse Repetition Frequency) variation and ASRW(Adaptive Sliding Range Window) have been proposed as effective techniques for squinted SAR image acquisition. This paper presents a signal processing algorithm for the squinted variable PRF spotlight-SAR. The algorithm is a two-step focusing algorithm combined with the interpolation method for compensating distortions due to PRF variation. The simulated variable PRF SAR raw data and processing results demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach.

A Modified Cartesian Factorized Back-Projection Algorithm for Highly Squint Spotlight Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging

Highly squint synthetic aperture radar (SAR) increases the flexibility and aspect-information of observation but poses several challenges to frequency-domain algorithms. The back-projection (BP) algorithm is recognized to produce the best results for highly squint mode but at high computational expense. Several fast BP algorithms have been developed to enhance the efficiency of the BP integral. The Cartesian factorized BP (CFBP) algorithm has been proposed to improve the performance. However, CFBP is ineffective in the highly squint case because its range model (RM) is imprecise. In this letter, we propose a modified CFBP (MCFBP) algorithm for highly squint spotlight SAR imaging. We employ a transformed Cartesian coordinate system to treat the transceiver mode as approximately side-looking mode. According to the transformed coordinate system, we propose a modified RM (MRM) to reduce the range error. Based on the MRM, we derive modified image spectrum compression steps and the Nyquist sampling rate of the subaperture image. MCFBP inherits CFBP's accuracy and efficiency advantages. Results of simulations and experiments performed by the X-band airborne SAR system with a maximum bandwidth of 1.2 GHz validate the improved performance of the proposed algorithm relative to BP and fast factorized BP.

Compensation Method for a Wideband Signal’s Squint Problem of an AESA SAR System Using a Cross-Range-Variant Antenna Gain Equalizer

In order to obtain a high-resolution image, a wideband signal is required in a synthetic aperture radar (SAR). However, in an active electronically steered array (AESA) SAR, consideration of the beam squint problem is indispensable especially when a forward directed AESA operates in a squint spotlight SAR mode. In this paper, we present an accurate compensation method for the squint problem without added hardware, such as true time delays. To clarify the beam squint effect, an antenna gain radiated to point targets located on the ground was derived and we confirmed that the antenna gain for the targets placed on the same cross-range axis has similar tendency within 1.5-dB difference. Based on the results, we proposed a cross-range-variant antenna gain equalizer. Through test simulations, we confirmed that the suggested method effectively compensated for the degraded resolution performance of about 14% for the AESA SAR.

Highly squinted SAR imaging simulation of ship‐ocean scene based on EM scattering mechanism

To investigate highly squinted spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of an electrically large ship target over a rough sea surface, this work focuses on the simulation analysis of SAR images from such a composite scene. For this problem, there are two key issues need to be considered, namely the simulation and the processing of SAR echoes. Considering the first issue, an efficient facet scattering model based on capillary wave modification facet scattering model and geometrical optics and physical optics hybrid method is applied to calculate the electromagnetic (EM) scattering characteristics from a real ship-ocean scene, based on which SAR echoes can be obtained. For the second issue, a non-linear frequency scaling algorithm (NFSA) is employed to efficiently process the highly squinted SAR echoes. Compared with the traditional frequency scaling algorithm, the NFSA extends the frequency scaling operation to the cubic order and makes a more accurate secondary range compression. With the solutions to the two issues, SAR images of a complicated ship-ocean scene under different incident and squint angles are presented and analysed. The reasonable results demonstrate the validity of the simulation approach and the practicability of the model for highly squinted spotlight SAR images.

Numerical simulation of highly squinted spotlight SAR images from complex targets using an amendatory frequency scaling algorithm

ABSTRACTIn the highly squinted spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image simulation of complex electrically large targets, the principal difficulties consist of the generation and the processing of SAR echo. Concerning the above two issues, this paper proposed a complete procedure for highly squinted SAR image simulation. Firstly, in order to generate the SAR echo efficiently and accurately, the geometrical optics and physical optics (GO-PO) hybrid method is employed to get the spatial distributed scattering fields, which is an essential step for the generation of SAR echo. Secondly, regarding to the processing of highly squinted SAR echo, the amendatory frequency scaling algorithm (AFSA) is adopted. Compared with the benchmark frequency scaling algorithm (FSA), AFSA eliminates the trouble caused by the range-dependent secondary range compression (SRC) error in high squint mode through the nonlinear frequency scaling (NFS) operation. Finally, according to the complete simulation procedure, SAR images of a complex ship target under different radar parameters are simulated and analysed. The simulation results indicate the performance of AFSA in the processing of highly squinted SAR echo. Meanwhile, the effectiveness and the reasonability of the complete simulation procedure are revealed as well.

Theory of Two-Dimensional Signature Morphology for Arbitrarily Moving Surface Targets in Squinted Spotlight Synthetic Aperture Radar

This paper develops analytic equations for predicting the smear signature morphology due to surface targets having arbitrary motion within squinted spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. A power-series expansion of the subaperture phase history data is applied to compute a generic expression for the down-range and cross-range components of the predicted central 2-D contour of mover signatures, including the cross-range offset. In addition, the current analysis generates an analytic approximation for the 2-D impulse response (IPR) of surface moving target signatures within subaperture images. This investigation reveals that the summation of a large number of nonoverlapping IPRs yields an excellent reproduction of the target signature, including smear width and self-interference effects, as compared with standard image formation using simulated radar data. Thus, the analytics derived herein can provide an effective methodology for understanding the shape, extent, location, width, and interference effects of smears due to arbitrarily moving surface targets for squinted spotlight SAR.

Errata: Fast image-formation algorithm for ultrahigh-resolution airborne squint spotlight synthetic aperture radar based on adaptive sliding receive-window technique

The <i>Journal of Applied Remote Sensing</i> (JARS) is an online journal that optimizes the communication of concepts, information, and progress within the remote sensing community to improve the societal benefit for monitoring and management of natural disasters, weather forecasting, agricultural and urban land-use planning, environmental quality monitoring, ecological restoration, and numerous other commercial and scientific applications.

Fast image-formation algorithm for ultrahigh-resolution airborne squint spotlight synthetic aperture radar based on adaptive sliding receive-window technique

Adaptive sliding receive-window (ASRW) technique was usually introduced in airborne squint synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems. Airborne squint spotlight SAR varies its receive-window starting time pulse-by-pulse as a function of range-walk, namely, the linear term of range cell migration (RCM). As a result, a huge data volume of the highly squint spotlight SAR echo signal can be significantly reduced. Because the ASRW technique changes the echo-receive starting time and Doppler history, the conventional image algorithm cannot be employed to directly focus airborne squint spotlight ASRW-SAR data. Therefore, a fast image-formation algorithm, based on the principle of the wave number domain algorithm (WDA) and azimuth deramping processing, was proposed for accurately and efficiently focusing the squint spotlight ASRW-SAR data. Azimuth deramping preprocessing was implemented for eliminating azimuth spectrum aliasing. Moreover, bulk compression and modified Stolt mapping were utilized for high-precision focusing. Additionally, geometric correction was employed for compensating the image distortion resulting from the ASRW technique. The proposed algorithm was verified by evaluating the image performance of point targets in different squint angles. In addition, a detailed analysis of computation loads in the appendix indicates that the processing efficiency can be greatly improved, e.g., the processing efficiency could be improved by 17 times in the 70-deg squint angle by applying the proposed image algorithm to the squint spotlight ASRW-SAR data.

A Parameter-Adjusting Polar Format Algorithm for Extremely High Squint SAR Imaging

The polar format algorithm (PFA) is a wavenumber domain imaging method for spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The classic fixed-parameter PFA employs interpolation technique for data correction. However, such an operation will induce heavy computational load and cause degradation in computation precision. To optimize image formation processing performance, this study presents a novel parameter-adjusting PFA, which can implement SAR image formation at an extremely highly squint angle with obviously improved computation efficiency and imaging precision. In the parameter-adjusting PFA, radar parameters, such as center frequency, chirp rate, pulse duration, sampling rate, and pulse repeat frequency (PRF), vary for each azimuth sampling position. Due to the parameter adjusting strategy, the echoed signal can be acquired directly in keystone format with uniformly distributed azimuth intervals. In this case, range interpolation, which is necessary in the fixed-parameter PFA to convert data from polar format to keystone format, can be eliminated. Chirp z-transform (CZT) can be employed to focus SAR data along the azimuth direction. Compared with truncated sinc-interpolation, CZT was found to perform better in inducing less phase and amplitude errors in data processing. When residual video phase (RVP) compensation was accomplished for dechirped signal, the processing steps of the parameter-adjusting PFA were simplified as azimuth CZTs and range inverse fast Fourier transforms (IFFT). Lastly, computer simulation of multiple point targets validated the presented approach.

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.

Extended Two-Step Focusing Approach for Squinted Spotlight SAR Imaging

An extended two-step focusing approach (ETSFA) for processing the squinted spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data is proposed in this paper. The effect of the squint angle on the azimuth coarse focusing is analyzed and discussed. Based on the analysis results, a nonlinear shift preprocessing method is introduced, which can completely remove the squint angle impacts on the azimuth coarse focusing. Furthermore, based on the squinted spotlight SAR imaging model and the preprocessed echo data, derivations of the azimuth coarse focusing with the deramping-based technique and precise focusing with the modified Stolt-based technique are carried out in detail. Moreover, to produce an acceptable image by the proposed ETSFA for high-resolution ( <formula formulatype="inline" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex Notation="TeX">$&lt;$ </tex></formula> 3 m) squinted spotlight SAR with large scene, a subscene processing method is introduced. The experimental results on simulated data prove the validity of the whole analysis and the proposed methods.

基于去调频技术的斜视聚束SAR 成像方法

This paper presents an imaging algorithm based on the deramp processing technique to resolve the imaging problem of the squinted spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR) in the presence of the azimuth spectrum folding phenomenon. First of all, we carried out the analysis of the azimuth spectrum folding phenomenon in squinted spotlight SAR, and found the reason for the squint angle impacts on the azimuth coarse focusing. Based on the analysis result, a nonlinear phase correction preprocessing method is introduced, which can completely remove the influence of the squint angle on the azimuth coarse focusing, and the correct coarse focused result is obtained. Then, based on the squinted SAR imaging model, the coarse focusing and precise focusing of the preprocessed echo data are deducted, respectively. In the azimuth matched filtering step of the precise focusing, a modified nonlinear chirp scaling (NLCS) algorithm is proposed for overcoming the azimuth depth of focus (ADOF) limitation problem, which is induced by the nonlinear phase correction preprocessing, and a high precise azimuth compression is achieved. Simulation experiment results prove the validity of the proposed algorithms.

Squint Spotlight SAR Raw Signal Simulation in the Frequency Domain Using Optical Principles

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) distributed target scene raw signal simulation is an important tool for the study and test of SAR systems and processing algorithms, mission planning, and inversion algorithm design. In this paper, the squint spotlight SAR scene model is evaluated to achieve spotlight SAR raw signals in the 2-D frequency domain and the precision of the model is analyzed. It is known that the range migration phenomenon in the time domain is explained as the coupling between the range and azimuth in the 2-D frequency domain. To realize the coupling relation in the 2-D frequency, interpolation may be needed. However, interpolation is a time-consuming manipulation. For efficiency, some signal processing methods are employed to couple the range and azimuth frequencies. Those tricks are derived from some optical principles, which give us some novel thoughts. Therefore, the efficiency of the simulator is highly improved, which facilitates its application to the verification and test of the real-time processor.