一种稳健的利用分布式小卫星获取宽域、高分辨SAR图像的方法

 传统星载合成孔径雷达(SAR)受最小天线面积条件的限制,其横向分辨率与测绘带宽度相矛盾,采用编队飞行的分布式小卫星SAR体制,可解决这一矛盾,即能够同时获得大测绘带、高分辨率的地面场景的SAR图像。主要研究如何在误差环境下抑制由小天线引入的多普勒模糊的信号处理方法。该方法利用子空间投影技术对导向矢量进行精确估计,在小卫星存在基线及其他误差时仍然能够稳健地恢复高分辨的二维SAR图像。     

Advances in non-linear apodization

Selected new methods and applications of non-linear apodization for irregularly-shaped and parse coherent apertures and arrays are presented. The benefits include unproved impulse response performance, i.e., reduced peak sidelobes and integrated sidelobe power, along with improved mainlobe resolution, compared to classic windowing techniques. Nonlinear apodization (NLA) techniques can also serve as powerful engines for effective superresolution and bandwidth extrapolation of coherent data for filling sparse apertures. The sparse aperture filling property of superresolution algorithms for radar data forms the basis for a new concept which is introduced here: synthetic multiple aperture radar technology (SMART). Increased swath and/or reduced antenna size are some of the benefits postulated for SMART applied to synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems. The benefits of these new methods and applications for nonlinear apodization are then demonstrated for two specific applications: 1) sidelobe control for Y-type synthetic aperture radiometers, such as the European Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) system (Kerr et al.) and JPL's proposed GeoSTAR (Lambrigsten) concept; and, 2) filling of sparse synthetic aperture radar data by exploiting the bandwidth extrapolation properties of nonlinear apodization based superresolution techniques. The methods that have been developed and demonstrated herein have potential application to a wide range of passive and active microwave remote sensing and radar systems.     

高信噪比、高分辨宽测绘带成像

针对传统高分辨和宽测绘带以及高信噪比和宽测绘带之间的矛盾,提出一种基于脉内扫描面阵合成孔径雷达(SAR)系统的二维空域联合处理算法实现高信噪比、高分辨宽测绘带成像。文中首先建立脉内扫描面阵SAR系统模型,该系统采用低脉冲重复频率(PRF)获得宽测绘带信息,同时利用脉内扫描方式获得高信噪比的回波信号。对于低PRF采样宽多普勒谱(对应方位高分辨)引起的多普勒模糊以及脉内扫描引起的距离模糊,提出一种二维空域联合处理算法解距离和多普勒模糊,并且详细地分析了地形高度变化对解模糊算法的影响。最后,通过仿真实验验证了本文算法的有效性。     

基于数值计算的机载SAR空变运动补偿算法

针对机载合成孔径雷达(SAR)高分辨率宽测绘带(HRWS)成像问题,在分析结合两步运动误差补偿的距离徙动算法基础上,提出一种基于数值计算的空变运动误差补偿算法。通过对粗聚焦图像进行分块,在子块的两维波数域进行空变运动补偿,补偿的相位包括方位相位误差、距离相位误差以及方位和距离的耦合相位,因此该算法在复杂航迹、高分辨和宽测绘带情况下仍具有较好的鲁棒性。最后对SAR仿真数据和实测数据进行处理,并与结合两步运动误差补偿的距离徙动算法进行比较,处理结果表明该算法能够更好地补偿空变运动误差。     

Synthetic Aperture Radar

The general theory of side-looking synthetic aperture radar systems is developed. A simple circuit-theory model is developed; the geometry of the system determines the nature of the prefilter and the receiver (or processor) is the postfilter. The complex distributed reflectivity density appears as the input, and receiver noise is first considered as the interference which limits performance. Analysis and optimization are carried out for three performance criteria (resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and least squares estimation of the target field). The optimum synthetic aperture length is derived in terms of the noise level and average transmitted power. Range-Doppler ambiguity limitations and optical processing are discussed briefly. The synthetic aperture concept for rotating target fields is described. It is observed that, for a physical aperture, a side-looking radar, and a rotating target field, the azimuth resolution is ?/? where ? is the change in aspect angle over which the target field is viewed, The effects of phase errors on azimuth resolution are derived in terms of the power density spectrum of the derivative of the phase errors and the performance in the absence of phase errors.     

方位维逆合成孔径雷达(ISAR)运动补偿成象中的预加处理

在方位维逆合成孔径雷达（ISAR）运动补偿成象中,为了获得方位维的高分辨力,需要处理的数据量很大。预加处理首先对原始数据进行频移和滤波,然后由滤波后的数据进行抽取,从而大大压缩了所需处理的数据,减小了运动补偿和成象的计算量,提高了成象处理速度。电磁仿真数据和外场实测数据的处理结果验证了预加处理的有效性。     

机动目标的逆合成孔径雷达成像

 逆合成孔径雷达(ISAR)和合成孔径雷达 (SAR)都是利用目标 (场景)与雷达的相对运动,提高横向分辨率,实现对目标 (场景 )的成像。SAR的运动方是雷达平台,可控制作平稳飞行,且用仪器测校其偏离误差;ISAR的运动方通常是非合作目标,运动不受控制,且难以精确测量。当目标作机动飞行时,以目标作固定基准,雷达等效地在空间形成流形复杂的逆合成孔径 (阵列 ),对这种情况下成像的问题进行了系统的研究。     

Resolution and synthetic aperture characterization of sparse radar arrays

The concept of radar satellite constellations, or clusters, for synthetic aperture radar (SAR), moving target indicator (MTI), and other radar modes has been proposed and is currently under research. These constellations form an array that is sparsely populated and irregularly spaced; therefore, traditional matched filtering is inadequate for dealing with the constellation's radiation pattern. To aid in the design, analysis, and signal processing of radar satellite constellations and sparse arrays in general, the characterization of the resolution and ambiguity functions of such systems is investigated. We project the radar's received phase history versus five sensor parameters: time, frequency, and three-dimensional position, into a phase history in terms of two eigensensors that can be interpreted as the dimensions of a two-dimensional synthetic aperture. Then, the synthetic aperture expression is used to derive resolution and the ambiguity function. Simulations are presented to verify the theory.     

结合视线方向运动补偿的滑动聚束SAR子孔径成像算法

滑动聚束合成孔径雷达(SAR)是一种新兴的成像模式,既可以提高方位向分辨率又能够扩展成像范围。其数据处理时需要考虑两个关键问题:一是系统脉冲重复频率(PRF)不足,方位向信号发生混叠;二是合成孔径长度的增加使运动误差的影响更为突出,运动补偿(MOCO)精度要求提高。基于子孔径技术,提出了一种改进的高分辨率成像算法。划分子孔径克服了PRF不足的问题;子孔径数据处理采用结合视线(LOS)方向运动补偿的Omega-K算法,实现更高精度的运动补偿,提高了聚焦质量。最终的方位向分辨率达到0.1 m,具有实际工程应用价值。点目标仿真和实测数据处理验证了算法的有效性。     

SAR resolution in the presence of phase errors

The author analyzes the effects of phase errors on synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The theory is applied to the following question: how does the achievable resolution vary with the carrier frequency when optimum quadratic focus and/or optimum processing interval (synthetic aperture length) are used? Numerous related results are given, so that much of the material is tutorial. For phase errors corresponding to uncompensated motion, the best achievable RMS resolution with any phase error spectrum satisfies the derived equation. For motion-induced phase errors it is seen that resolution improves with increasing carrier frequency when the first term in the expression applies (e.g. for phase errors concentrated at low frequencies) and resolution is independent of carrier frequency when R δ/v/v is the smaller term (e.g. with broad band or high frequency phase errors)     

Dynamic imaging and RCS measurements of aircraft

Results on radar cross section (RCS) measurements and inverse synthetic aperture radar images of a Mooney 231 aircraft using a ground-to-air measurement system (GTAMS) and a KC-135 airplane using an airborne radar are presented. The Mooney 231 flew in a controlled path in both clockwise and counterclockwise orbits, and successively with the gear down, flaps in the take-off position and with the speed brakes up. The data indicates that RCS pattern measurements from both ground-based and airborne radar of flying aircraft are useful and that the inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) images obtained are valuable for signature diagnostics     

UAVSAR: New NASA Airborne SAR System for Research

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is currently building a reconfigurable, polarimetric L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), specifically designed to acquire airborne repeat track SAR data for differential interferometric measurements. Differential interferometry can provide key deformation measurements, important for studies of earthquakes, volcanoes, and other dynamically changing phenomena. Using precision real-time GPS and a sensor controlled flight management system, the system will be able to fly pre-defined paths with great precision. The expected performance of the flight control system will constrain the flight path to be within a 10 m diameter tube about the desired flight track. The radar will be designed to be operable on a Unpiloted Arial Vehicle (UAV) but will initially be demonstrated on a NASA Gulfstream III. The radar will be fully polarimetric, with a range bandwidth of 80 MHz (2 m range resolution), and will support a 16 km range swath. The antenna will be electronically steered along track to assure that the antenna beam can be directed independently, regardless of the wind direction and speed. Other features supported by the antenna include elevation monopulse and pulse-to-pulse re-steering capabilities that will enable some novel modes of operation. The system will nominally operate at 45,000 feet (13,800 m). The program began as an Instrument Incubator Project (IIP) funded by NASA Earth Science and Technology Office (ESTO).     

一种提高距离分辨率的FMCW SAR RD成像算法

调频连续波合成孔径雷达（FMCW SAR）是一种新近提出来的成像雷达体制,它结合调频连续波与合成孔径成像技术,具有体积小、重量轻、成本低、分辨率高等一系列优点。从频谱的角度进行分析,FMCW SAR的距离分辨率取决于频率测量分辨率。文章研究了一种FMCW SAR高距离分辨率成像算法——利用FFT得到差频信号谱峰的粗略范围,再对这一范围进行ChirpZ变换,从而实现距离高精度估计,并且避免了大的计算量。仿真结果表明该方法的有效性。     

VSAR: a high resolution radar system for ocean imaging

The velocity synthetic aperture radar (VSAR) is a conceptual synthetic aperture radar (SAR)-based sensor system for high resolution ocean imaging. The VSAR utilizes data collected by a multielement SAR system, to extract information not only about the radar reflectivity of the observed area, but also about the radial velocity of the scatterers in each pixel. This is accomplished by making use of the phase information contained in multiple SAR images, and not just the magnitude information as in conventional SAR. Using this velocity information, the VSAR attempts to compensate for the velocity distortion inherent in conventional SAR and to reconstruct the ocean reflectivity. We present the basic theory of the VSAR system and its performance. We also provide an analysis of the VSAR imaging mechanism for a statistical model of the radar returns, designed to capture the effects of speckle and of resolution degradation due to the decorrelation of the radar returns     

Precision tracking algorithms for ISAR imaging

The simultaneous imaging and tracking of a moving target is one of the most difficult problems in inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) signal processing. The problem is addressed here using a two-antenna imaging radar. The target range shift is sensed with an exponentially averaged envelope correlation algorithm while the angle change is measured with a differential phase shift algorithm. The three state Kalman filters are used in range and azimuth dimensions to provide both a filtered estimate and a one-sample-ahead prediction for the purpose of target tracking. The filtered range shift provides an accurate information for range bin alignment, and the target angle change provides the angular positions of the synthetic array elements. Therefore, the ISAR imaging simply becomes processing of a circular-arc aperture. The algorithms are verified both by computer simulations and also with experimental data processing     

Harmonic Radar Systems for Near-Ground In-Foliage Nonlinear Scatterers

The radar transmission equation for a harmonic radar operating over a planar, finite dielectric Earth through foliage is derived for an interesting class of nonlinear scatterers. The received power can typically depend on range to the (-14) power for small objects near the ground. The maximum detection range of a ground-based system is related to all major system parameters: it is most sensitive to polarization, transmit antenna height, and transmit wavelength; moderately sensitive to transmit power and transmit antenna area; and least sensitive to receive antenna area, harmonic scattering cross section, and mode of data processing. For example, there is seen to be a best apportionment of total available aperture area into disjoint transmit and receive apertures which can be well approximated by the equal gain condition. Also, there is seen to be a critical path distance through foliage; at distances less than this, small wavelengths are desirable and, conversely, the upper transmit frequency limit may be set by nonlinear scatterer response. Airborne synthetic aperture radar systems are discussed and quantification of harmonic noise and effects of scatterer fluctuation are made. A useful phenomenological model of a nonlinear scatterer is given that is consistent with some observations and predicts a frequency dependence. Nonlinear scatterer effects on range resolution are discussed.     

Computer Simulation of Synthetic Aperture Radar Images of Three-Dimensional Objects

A digital simulation of coherent synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of three-dimensional objects is described. The simulation is intended to produce representative SAR images that would be suitable for image analysis and pattern recognition studies. The procedure involves a modeling of the object using a combination of three-dimensional quadratic shapes yielding a smooth surface representation. The radar images of these models are then computed using physical optics scattering theory. Finite resolution both in range and cross-range direction is incorporated via a theoretical analysis which results in a simple Fourier transform representation of an equivalent "offset" window filter. Examples of the computer simulation for both infinite resolution and blurred or finite resolution are given for a KC-135 aircraft model.     

Improving slant-range resolution with multiple SAR surveys

Across-track resolution of a spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system is limited by power and data rate constraints. The authors derive and discuss a new technique for increasing the across-track resolution of objects that do not change with time, using multiple surveys of the same area from different off-nadir angles. Precise information on the spaceborne trajectories are not requested since they can be derived from SAR interferometry. Simulated data show that theoretical derivations are in good agreement with practice     

Target motion compensation in synthetic aperture radar

In a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) targets on the ground that are moving become smeared as a result of velocity components parallel to the motion of the radar and are moved to radically different angular positions if they have velocity components perpendicular to the motion of the radar. Methods for restoring moving targets to their correct size and position are described. The samples collected for SAR processing are frequency-modulated RF pulses. Mathematically this leads to spectra that are described by Fresnel integrals. For stationary targets, the spectrum is symmetrical around the origin. If there is a moving target in a range cell, its Doppler spectrum will be displaced from the origin and may undergo other changes as a result of its nonzero velocity. Proper compensation to locate the target at the correct position requires that the spectrum be translated to a position dependent on the along-track velocity rather than to the origin. From the central frequency, the along-range velocity component can be estimated and the length of the translation can then be found. After translation, the spectrum is converted back to the time domain and the customary SAR processing is performed     

Autofocusing of ISAR images based on entropy minimization

A novel autofocusing technique is developed for random translational motion compensation in inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging of objects. This technique is based on an entropy minimization principle and validated via a nonparametric estimation method. Images of a simulation and a real flying aircraft are used for illustration. Images of encouraging quality confirm the feasibility of autofocusing the radar images by just the requirement of minimizing the image entropy