Synthetic Aperture Radar Raw Signal Research Articles

Echo-Level SAR Imaging Simulation of Wakes Excited by a Submerged Body.

The paper introduces a numerical simulation method for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging of submerged body wakes by integrating hydrodynamics, electromagnetic scattering, and SAR imaging simulation. This work is helpful for better understanding SAR images of submerged body wakes. Among these, the hydrodynamic model consists of two sets of ocean dynamics closely related to SAR imaging, namely the wake of the submerged body and wind waves. For the wake, we simulated it using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical methods. Furthermore, we compared and computed the electromagnetic scattering characteristics of wakes under various navigation parameters and sea surface conditions. Following that, based on the operational principles and imaging theory of synthetic aperture radar (SAR), we established the SAR raw echo signal of the wake. Employing a Range-Doppler (RD) algorithm, we generated simulated SAR images of the wake. The results indicate that utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) numerical methods enables the simulation of wake characteristics generated by the motion of a submerged body with different velocities. The backscattering features of wakes are closely associated with the relative orientation between the wake and the radar line of sight. Under specific wind speeds, the wake gets masked within the sea surface background, resulting in less discernible characteristics of the wake in SAR images. This suggests that at lower speeds of submerged body or under specific wind conditions, the detectability of the wake in SAR images significantly diminishes.

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.

The Open-Source Framework for 3D Synthetic Aperture Radar Simulation

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) simulation is widely used for system design, processing techniques development, and mission planning. However, there is no readily available and free framework for SAR raw signal simulation, and many teams and organizations struggle with developing their own simulator from scratch, repeating work that others have done earlier. This work’s purpose is to create a simple, open-source SAR simulation framework that can be used for many purposes and is available for free to everyone. It is a ready tool for SAR processing techniques verification, and thanks to its open-source nature, it fosters collaboration between scientists, both on the simulation and the tool development. Moreover, as the simulation’s underlying mathematics is described in detail in this article, it may serve as a handbook for the radar’s simulation. The simulator was prepared as a stand-alone, multiplatform software working in the Matlab/Octave environment. It is available in an online software repository that allows others to contribute to the original code or to create forks of it. The simulator supports monostatic, bistatic, and multistatic configurations with shadowing. The surface model includes roughness using the modified Phong model, transparency, and complex reflectivity. The antenna pattern is defined with a general two-dimensional model. The article is concluded with the simulator’s demonstrations, including antenna pattern, Doppler shift, and various surface parameters. It is expected that this simulator will be widely adopted and improved by many collaborators.

A Unified Formulation of SAR Raw Signals From Extended Scenes for All Acquisition Modes With Application to Simulation

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems can generate microwave images by using different acquisition modes: stripmap, spotlight, scanSAR, and the more recently developed sliding spotlight and Terrain Observation by Progressive Scans (TOPSAR). The proper mode to be used is chosen according to the desired spatial resolution and coverage. In this paper, we present a unified formulation able to express raw signals of all acquisition modes. This formulation is then employed to show that both sliding spotlight and TOPSAR raw signal simulation of extended scenes can be achieved by using an improved version of the approach previously proposed by some of the authors for the sliding spotlight case. This approach implies a 1-D range Fourier-domain processing, followed by 1-D azimuth time-domain integration, and it can also precisely account for sensor trajectory deviations for any acquisition mode. Effectiveness of the proposed simulation scheme is assessed by using numerical examples. Results show that its computational load is much lower than the one of the time-domain approaches, and the obtained raw signals are in very good agreement with the exact ones. Finally, examples of simulations of SAR signals relative to extended, both canonical and realistic, scenes are also reported.

Raw Signal Simulator for SAR With Trajectory Deviation Based on Spatial Spectrum Analysis

This paper presents a whole new method for simulating a raw signal of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with trajectory deviation. In this paper, a SAR raw signal is viewed as a spatial function in terms of radar location, at a fixed range frequency component of the radar signal. It is disclosed and verified that the SAR raw signals is band limited from the perspective of spatial spectrum analysis. Based on this finding, SAR raw signals under condition of trajectory deviation are obtained by interpolating the SAR raw signal along a set of ideally linear trajectories. The unprecedent performance achieved by the new method mainly includes the following. First, it provides a way to update existing simulators designed for ideally linear trajectory, giving them the capability to take trajectory deviation into consideration. Second, it is an efficient SAR raw signal simulator whose validity limit is greatly expanded compared with existing efficient simulators, as many constraints are eliminated without sacrificing computational efficiency or phase accuracy. Third, it is a uniform framework applicable for multiple SAR acquisition modes. Finally, the computational complexity of Monte Carlo experiment under various trajectory deviations is dramatically reduced, at the expense of storage memory requirement. Theoretical analyses are demonstrated by experimental results.

A Unified Multimode SAR Raw Signal Simulation Method Based on Acquisition Mode Mutation

Raw signal simulators for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) in different acquisition modes have been studied individually. This letter is dedicated to presenting a method for simulating multimode SAR raw signal in a unified framework. To this end, we first simulate stripmap SAR raw signal, and then mutate the raw signal from stripmap mode into the desired acquisition mode. The acquisition mode mutation is implemented by azimuth-time-variant and range-frequency-dependent bandpass filtering. While processing in range-frequency domain brings forth high accuracy, processing in azimuth-time domain makes the method applicable for flexible antenna steering laws specified by multiple SAR acquisition modes, such as staring spotlight mode, sliding spotlight mode, and terrain observation by progressive scans mode. The proposed method is validated by the simulation results.

SAR Raw Data Simulation for Ocean Scenes Using Inverse Omega-K Algorithm

This paper deals with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) raw data simulation for ocean scenes featuring surface waves and currents, an issue which has proven to be of great necessity in preparing for future oceanic SAR missions. In this paper, the inverse Omega-K (IOK) algorithm, which is originally designed for SAR raw data simulation of stationary land scenes, is extended to ocean scenes. To realize such a generalization, endeavors are made in two aspects. First, specially aimed at ocean dynamics of ocean waves and currents, the 2-D spectrum of the SAR signal is derived. Second, to account for the spatial variation of ocean-motion parameters, we adopt a strategy called batch processing, whose basic feature is that a single implementation of the IOK algorithm will simultaneously simulate a collection of ocean-surface backscattering elements that have the same radial velocity. For the proposed simulator, the velocity bunching effect is embodied via making the long-wave radial orbital velocities physically enter the range equation of the SAR raw signal, instead of superimposing this effect onto the reflectivity map. The spread of the facet velocities within one resolution cell enters the raw data through a random perturbation of the local long-wave orbital velocity. The proposed simulator is not only rather accurate due to the fact that, in deriving the range frequency mapping function, no Taylor expansion is made on the range equation, but also much more efficient than its time-domain counterpart. Effectiveness of the proposed simulator is validated by using simulation results.

Synthetic aperture radar imaging using nonlinear frequency modulation signal

In this paper, a new nonlinear frequency modulation (NLFM) waveform is developed that can be used as a transmitted chirp in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging to improve the imaging quality compared to a linear frequency modulation (LFM) chirp signal. The new NLFM is constructed based on piecewise linear functions, which are optimized using multi-objective optimization. Different signal processing algorithms are investigated in order to use NLFM as the transmitted chirp in a SAR system. In addition, a modified motion compensation (MC) algorithm using navigation data is proposed for the range-Doppler algorithm. Strip-map SAR geometry is considered to generate a SAR raw signal, in order to validate the new offered chirp signal and the proposed MC algorithm.

Synthetic aperture radar raw signal simulation based on inverse chirp scaling algorithm

By the analysis of the imaging principle and the raw echo model of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) (Bamler et al., 1992), an efficient simulation method is proposed based on inverse imaging algorithm for SAR raw echo data (Franceschetti et al., 1995). The idea of the inverse imaging algorithm is based on chirp scaling (CS) imaging algorithm called inverse chirp algorithm (ICS) (Xiao and Pi, 2003). It converts the SAR scene greyscale into the confocal and complex image data comprising the continuous phase information, using a scene processing method (Li et al., 1996). Then, a backward method is used. It can inverse and simulate SAR scene raw echo data after azimuth decompression, range decompression and range curvature compression (Khwaja, 2006). Finally, the imaging simulation test is carried out to verify the effectiveness of this method.

A new metric for measuring structure-preserving capability of despeckling of SAR images

In this paper, a new metric called despeckling structure loss (DSL) is proposed for performance assessment of despeckling algorithms with a focus on the preservation of structural features such as edges and textures. The ratio image of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image to its despeckled result can clearly indicate the loss of structural features caused by the despeckling process. By taking into account characteristics of the best and worst structure preservation in despeckling, the DSL metric examines the presence of structural features in ratio images by using local correlations between the ratio image and the noise-free reference image at edge points. The DSL is shown to be a monotonic function of structure loss bounded between the best and worst cases, leading an objective and quantitative measure of the structure-preserving capability of despeckling algorithms. Experimental evaluations of the proposed metric have been carried out on simulated SAR images including one generated by SAR raw signal simulator. Despeckled results using five typical algorithms clearly demonstrate the efficiency of the DSL metric. In comparison, the commonly used despeckling metrics including the signal-to-mean-square error ratio, the edge correlation index, the Pratt’s figure of merit, the structural similarity and the equivalent number of looks of ratio images, fail to keep a consistency with the structure loss shown in despeckled results as well as ratio images.

Efficient strip-mode SAR raw signal simulation of mixed targets based on accurate 2-D spectrum

An accurate and efficient Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) raw data generator is of considerable value for testing system parameters and verifying imaging algorithms. Nevertheless, the existing simulator cannot exactly handle the case of the fast moving targets in high squint geometry. As for the issue, the analytical expression for the two Dimensional (2-D) signal spectrum of moving targets is derived and a fast raw echo simulation method is proposed in this study. The proposed simulator can accommodate the moving targets in the high squint geometry, whose processing steps of the simulation are given in detail and its computational complexity is analyzed. The simulation data for static and moving targets are processed and analyzed, and the results are given to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Efficient and precise frequency-modulated continuous wave synthetic aperture radar raw signal simulation approach for extended scenes

Frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system is widely used for earth observation and space detection, where short revisits time at low cost are desirable, or small size is required. Therefore a FMCW SAR raw signal simulator is required to quantitatively support the design of a SAR mission operating in the FMCW mode, to help mission planning, test processing algorithms and analyse jamming and noises. Time-domain SAR raw signal simulation can be easily conceived, but it is extremely time and memory consuming. In this study, an efficient FMCW SAR raw signal simulation approach for extended scene is proposed based on chirp-Z transform (CZT). This is the first time that a FMCW SAR simulator is proposed in the two-dimensional frequency domain. By taking advantage of fast Fourier transform, the proposed approach highly reduces the computational load with respect to the time domain approach. Furthermore, CZT algorithm can accurately simulate the range-variation of the range cell migration term, which guarantees the precision of the proposed approach. Wavenumber domain algorithm is applied to focus the conceived raw signal. Finally, point targets, the electromagnetic imaging and real FMCW image are used to validate the proposed simulation approach.

BISTATIC FMCW SAR RAW SIGNAL SIMULATOR FOR EXTENDED SCENES

By mounting the transmitter and receiver of Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system on separate platforms, bistatic FMCW SAR ofiers more considerable capabilities, reliability and ∞exibility while maintaining the small size, low cost and agile reaction. The bistatic FMCW SAR raw signal simulator is highly required to quantitatively support the design of bistatic FMCW SAR, to help mission planning, test processing algorithms, and analyze jamming and noises. Bistatic FMCW SAR raw signal can be exactly simulated target-by-target in time domain but with extremely time and memory consuming, especially when extended scenes are considered. In this paper, bistatic FMCW SAR signal model and Bistatic Point Target Reference Spectrum (BPTRS) is proposed, based on which a raw signal simulator is developed in the 2-D frequency domain for the flrst time, where Chirp-Z Transform (CZT) is used to formulate the range migration terms. By taking advantage of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), the proposed raw signal simulator highly reduces the computational load with respect to the time domain approach. The simulated raw data is verifled by analyzing the corresponding images focused by Range Doppler Algorithm (RDA).

Generalised likelihood ratio test detector for micro-motion targets in synthetic aperture radar raw signals

Micro-motion targets are gaining an increased interest from the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) community. Their SAR returns can be modelled as sinusoidal frequency-modulated signals in the noise/clutter environment. A detector based on the generalised likelihood ratio test (GLRT) is proposed to detect such targets using SAR raw signals instead of SAR imagery. The GLRT detector entails searching three parameters for the maximum of a statistic, followed by comparison of the maximum with a threshold determined by the constant false alarm rate. It can also provide estimation of the micro-motion parameters. The detection performance is derived theoretically and demonstrated by both simulated and quasi-real data, showing favourable detection ability under low signal-to-noise/clutter ratios.

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.

Real extended scene and moving target multi-channel SAR raw signal simulation

A real extended scene and moving targets multi-channel Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) raw signal simulator accounting for Inertial Navigation System (INS) errors and antenna patterns is presented in this paper. INS errors are obtained by solving INS error differential equations with Runge-Kutta method. A high resolution SAR image is used to estimate the complex reflectance of real extended scene. Extended scene and moving target are simulated separately and then are superposed in time domain. The simulated multi-channel SAR data can be used for development of multi-channel SAR Ground Moving Target Indication (SAR-GMTI) and also can be used for development of SAR motion compensation.

SAR Sensor Trajectory Deviations: Fourier Domain Formulation and Extended Scene Simulation of Raw Signal

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) raw signal simulation is a useful tool for SAR system design, mission planning, processing algorithm testing, and inversion algorithm design. A two-dimensional (2-D) Fourier domain SAR raw signal simulator, exploiting the efficiency of fast Fourier transform algorithms, has been presented some years ago and is able to generate the raw signal corresponding to extended scenes. However, it cannot account for the effects of sensor trajectory deviations with respect to the nominal straight-line path. This paper explores the possibility of extending the efficient Fourier domain simulation approach to the case of sensor trajectory deviations, which is more realistic for airborne SAR systems. We first of all obtain a general and compact Fourier domain formulation of the SAR raw signal in the presence of arbitrary trajectory deviations, and show that in this general case no efficient simulation scheme can be devised. However, we demonstrate that, if a narrow beam and slow trajectory deviation assumption is made, a full 2-D Fourier domain simulation can be used. This approach can be applied only to some SAR systems and/or trajectory deviations, but it has the advantage that processing time is practically not increased with respect to the nominal trajectory case. The validity limits of the approach are analytically evaluated. Some simulation results are finally presented in order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed simulation scheme. In another paper, which is the second part of this work, it will be shown that the narrow beam-slow deviation assumption can be relaxed, at the expense of computation efficiency, if a one-dimensional azimuth Fourier domain processing followed by a range time-domain integration is used

Efficient Simulation of hybrid stripmap/spotlight SAR raw signals from extended scenes

The hybrid stripmap/spotlight mode for a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system is able to generate microwave images with an azimuth resolution better than the one achieved in the stripmap mode and a ground coverage better than the one of the spotlight mode. In this paper, time- and frequency-domain-based procedures to simulate the raw signal in the hybrid stripmap/spotlight mode are presented and compared. We show that a two-dimensional Fourier domain approach, although highly desirable for its efficiency, is not viable. Accordingly, we propose a one-dimensional (1-D) range Fourier domain approach, followed by 1-D azimuth time-domain integration. This method is much more efficient than the time-domain one, so that extended scenes can be considered. In addition, it involves approximations usually acceptable in actual cases. Effectiveness of the simulation scheme is assessed by using numerical examples.

Synthetic aperture radar raw signals simulation of extended scenes

A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) raw signal simulation algorithm for extended scenes is presented. This algorithm is based on the SAR two-dimensional system transform function (STF). To cope with range-variant nature of SAR STF and increase the speed of this algorithms, new formulas for range-variant phase corrections in range-Doppler (RD) domain are developed. In this way, many azimuth lines can be simulated with the same SAR STF. It only needs two-dimensional fast Fourier transform code and complex multiplications. Comparing with time-domain simulation algorithm, it is very simple and thus efficient. Simulation results have shown that this algorithm is accurate and efficient.

Efficient spotlight sar raw signal simulation of extended scenes

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) raw signal simulation is a powerful tool for designing new sensors, testing processing algorithms, planning missions, and devising inversion algorithms. In this paper, a spotlight SAR raw signal simulator for distributed targets is presented. The proposed procedure is based on a Fourier domain analysis: a proper analytical reformulation of the spotlight SAR raw signal expression is presented. It is shown that this reformulation allows us to design a very efficient simulation scheme that employs fast Fourier transform codes. Accordingly, the computational load is dramatically reduced with respect to a time-domain simulation and this, for the first time, makes spotlight simulation of extended scenes feasible.