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。     

Estimating the Doppler centroid of SAR data

After reviewing frequency-domain techniques for estimating the Doppler centroid of synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) data, the author describes a time-domain method and highlights its advantages. In particular, a nonlinear time-domain algorithm called the sign-Doppler estimator (SDE) is shown to have attractive properties. An evaluation based on an existing SEASAT processor is reported. The time-domain algorithms are shown to be extremely efficient with respect to requirements on calculations and memory, and hence they are well suited to real-time systems where the Doppler estimation is based on raw SAR data. For offline processors where the Doppler estimation is performed on processed data, which removes the problem of partial coverage of bright targets, the ΔE estimator and the CDE (correlation Doppler estimator) algorithm give similar performance. However, for nonhomogeneous scenes it is found that the nonlinear SDE algorithm, which estimates the Doppler-shift on the basis of data signs alone, gives superior performance     

Signal processing of wide bandwidth and wide beamwidth P-3 SAR data

This research is concerned with multidimensional signal processing and image formation with FOliage PENetrating (FOPEN) airborne radar data which were collected by a Navy P-3 ultra wideband (UWB) radar in 1995. The digital signal processors that were developed for the P-3 data commonly used a radar beamwidth angle that was limited to 35 deg. Provided that the P-3 radar beamwidth angle (after slow-time FIR filtering and 6:1 decimation) was 35 deg, the P-3 signal aperture radar (SAR) system would approximately yield alias-free data in the slow-time Doppler domain. We provide an analysis here of the slow-time Doppler properties of the P-3 SAR system. This study indicates that the P-3 database possesses a 50 deg beamwidth angle within the entire [215, 730] MHz band of the P-3 radar. We show that the 50-degree beamwidth limit is imposed by the radar (radial) range swath gate; a larger beamwidth measurements would be possible with a larger range swath gate. The 50-degree beamwidth of the P-3 system results in slow-time Doppler aliasing within the frequency band of [444, 730] MHz. We outline a slow-time processing of the P-3 data to minimize the Doppler aliasing. The images which are formed via this method are shown to be superior in quality to the images which are formed via the conventional P-3 processor. In the presentation, we also introduce a method for converting the P-3 deramped (range-compressed) data into its alias-free baseband echoed data; the utility of this conversion for suppressing radio frequency interference signals is shown     

Digital Beamforming on Receive: Techniques and Optimization Strategies for High-Resolution Wide-Swath SAR Imaging

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a well-proven imaging technique for remote sensing of the Earth. However, conventional SAR systems are not capable of fulfilling the increasing demands for improved spatial resolution and wider swath coverage. To overcome these inherent limitations, several innovative techniques have been suggested which employ multiple receive-apertures to gather additional information along the synthetic aperture. These digital beamforming (DBF) on receive techniques are reviewed with particular emphasis on the multi-aperture signal processing in azimuth and a multi-aperture reconstruction algorithm is presented that allows for the unambiguous recovery of the Doppler spectrum. The impact of Doppler aliasing is investigated and an analytic expression for the residual azimuth ambiguities is derived. Further, the influence of the processing on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is analyzed, resulting in a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) dependent factor describing the SNR scaling of the multi-aperture beamforming network. The focus is then turned to a complete high-resolution wide-swath SAR system design example which demonstrates the intricate connection between multi-aperture azimuth processing and the system architecture. In this regard, alternative processing approaches are compared with the multi-aperture reconstruction algorithm. In a next step, optimization strategies are discussed as pattern tapering, prebeamshaping-on-receive, and modified processing algorithms. In this context, the analytic expressions for both the residual ambiguities and the SNR scaling factor are generalized to cascaded beamforming networks. The suggested techniques can moreover be extended in many ways. Examples discussed are a combination with ScanSAR burst mode operation and the transfer to multistatic sparse array configurations.     

Performance improvement for constellation SAR using signal processing techniques

A new concept of spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) implementation has recently been proposed - the constellation of small spaceborne SAR systems. In this implementation, several formation-flying small satellites cooperate to perform multiple space missions. We investigate the possibility to produce high-resolution wide-area SAR images and fine ground moving-target indicator (GMTI) performance with constellation of small spaceborne SAR systems. In particular, we focus on the problems introduced by this particular SAR system, such as Doppler ambiguities, high sparseness of the satellite array, and array element errors. A space-time adaptive processing (STAP) approach combined with conventional SAR imaging algorithms is proposed which can solve these problems to some extent. The main idea of the approach is to use a STAP-based method to properly overcome the aliasing effect caused by the lower pulse-repetition frequency (PRF) and thereby retrieve the unambiguous azimuth wide (full) spectrum signals from the received echoes. Following this operation, conventional SAR data processing tools can be applied to focus the SAR images fully. The proposed approach can simultaneously achieve both high-resolution SAR mapping of wide ground scenes and GMTI with high efficiency. To obtain array element errors, an array auto-calibration technique is proposed to estimate them based on the angular and Doppler ambiguity analysis of the clutter echo. The optimizing of satellite formations is also analyzed, and a platform velocity/PRF criterion for array configurations is presented. An approach is given to make it possible that almost any given sparse array configuration can satisfy the criterion by slightly adjusting the PRF. Simulated results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.     

Instantaneous GPS attitude determination

A procedure for instantaneous GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) attitude determination, i.e., a solution for the GPS integrated carrier Doppler wavelength ambiguities using only measurements at a single epoch, is described. Most previous techniques to solve the phase ambiguity problem have required some form of time history processing relying on GPS satellite and/or user motion to provide enough geometry change to eliminate false solutions. The algorithm described assumes three noncollinear antennas and integrated carrier Doppler measurements from four or more satellites. Double-difference processing provides at least three independent observables for the two antenna separation vectors to compute the three attitude Euler angles     

一种孔径和频率二维稀疏的步进频SAR成像方法

 步进频率信号(SFWs)在不增加雷达系统瞬时带宽的情况下能够获得高的距离向分辨率的同时,也存在着抗干扰能力较差及其等效重复频率较低的问题,并且在方位向积累时间内由于雷达载机工作状态的变化,会导致方位向的数据录取不完整。针对上述问题,提出一种孔径和频率二维稀疏的步进频合成孔径雷达(SAR)成像方法。首先,分析了稀疏步进频率信号(SSFWs)的SAR成像模型,然后基于压缩感知理论完成距离向成像处理。其次,针对稀疏孔径的回波数据,通过构造成像算子和压缩感知重建模型的方法实现其距离徙动校正和方位压缩处理,进而获得二维成像结果。相比于传统的步进频率信号SAR成像,利用所提方法能够在少量的频率资源和雷达回波数据情况下实现准确的SAR成像。最后,通过对仿真和实测的步进频率雷达数据进行成像处理,验证了所提方法的有效性和可行性。     

Modeling and a Correlation Algorithm for Spaceborne SAR Signals

A mathematical model of a spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) response is presented. The associated SAR system performance, in terms of the resolution capability, is also discussed. The analysis of spaceborne SAR target response indicates that the SAR correlation problem is a two-dimensional one with a linear shift-variant response function. A new digital processing algorithm is proposed here in order to realize an economical digital SAR correlation system. The proposed algorithm treats the two-dimensional correlation by a combination of frequency domain fast correlation in the azimuth dimension and a time-domain convolver type of operation in the range dimension. Finally, digitally correlated SEASAT satellite SAR imagery is used in an exemplary sense to validate the SAR response model and the new digital processing technique developed.     

A Unique Digital Doppler Ambiguity Resolution Technique

This correspondence describes a unique digital Doppler ambiguity resolution technique for a pulsed S-band radar. Whereas conventional methods of resolving ambiguities employ various curve fitting schemes in which the best differentiated range curve fit is compared with the Doppler derived velocity, the method described here uses the opposite approach, i.e., the Doppler derived velocity is integrated and compared with the range change over the integrating interval. The integrating approach offers the following advantages over conventional curve fitting. 1) There are no lag errors due to velocity changes, other than tracker lag induced by jerk. 2) No large storage of past data points and their weighting Constants must be implemented.     

GEO星弹双基SAR多普勒分辨率特性分析

通过对地球同步轨道（GEO）卫星运动特点的分析，阐明其对多普勒分辨率的影响。传统的双基合成孔径雷达（SAR）多普勒分辨率表达式由于不考虑雷达平台加速度矢量带来的影响，并不适用于GEO星弹双基SAR系统。根据收发平台的双曲线轨迹对目标的回波多普勒特性影响，首先利用梯度方法推导了GEO星弹双基SAR系统的多普勒分辨率表达式；随后详细地分析了GEO卫星与导弹的空间几何关系及多普勒参数，特别是加速度矢量对多普勒分辨率的影响。仿真结果验证了所推导多普勒分辨率表达式的有效性，其有助于双基SAR理论系统完整性的提高，为后续系统设计及应用实践提供理论支撑。     

Parametric Methods for Strip-Map SAR Doppler Ambiguity Resolution

Physical modeling of the Doppler centroid (DC) can be used to predict synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Doppler ambiguity when antenna attitude is controlled or measured precisely enough. It is shown that the same model proves useful even in the cases of higher attitude uncertainty, if it is combined with suitable adaptive techniques. In this paper, Doppler ambiguity resolution is formulated as a hypothesis testing problem over a domain of integer values that are directly related to the attitude uncertainty. A test statistic is derived from the entire SAR scene using data adaptive processing. A broad class of such adaptive algorithms is analyzed in a unified way, starting from the range-azimuth coupling in the frequency domain and multilook techniques. The analysis includes two well-known and two new multilook methods for Doppler ambiguity resolution. A suitable test statistic is proposed for each of these methods and its dependency on the scene spatial correlation is discussed. Experimental results confirm the robustness of the combined scheme.     

Improving intrusion detection radar

The first monostatic microwave intrusion detection sensor with range cutoff was introduced in 1984. This range cutoff circuit as used in the Model 375 and 385 has proven very effective in preventing nuisance alarms beyond a user-defined range. The Intrepid Digital Transceiver introduced in this paper builds upon this proven technology with the addition of a unique digital signal processing routine that measures range to the intruder. Intrepid Digital Transceiver alternately transmits pulses at two discrete frequencies within K-Band. When an intruder enters the detection zone, the Doppler response at each frequency is digitally recorded. The difference between the two frequencies is controlled so that the phase angle between the two Doppler responses can be used to determine the unambiguous range to the target. As a byproduct of the process targets approaching the transceiver can be distinguished from those moving away from the transceiver. Range information is used to enhance the signal processing. The amount of signal integration is increased with range in proportion to the width of the detection pattern so as to optimize the signal to noise ratio (SNR).     

SNR/bandwidth tradeoff in coherent radar sampling

It is shown that if the pulse-repetition frequency of a coherent pulse-Doppler radar is at least twice the Doppler bandwidth, one may, using appropriate downconversion, sample the radar signal at half the Nyquist rate with no loss in range resolution and no folding of Doppler frequencies. This results in a 3-dB loss of signal-to-noise ratio     

Advanced high-order nonlinear chirp scaling algorithm for high-resolution wide-swath spaceborne SAR

Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a well-established and powerful imaging technology that can provide high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface on a global scale. For future SAR systems, one of the key capabilities is to acquire images with both high-resolution and wide-swath. In parallel to the evolution of SAR sensors, more precise range models, and effective imaging algorithms are required. Due to the significant azimuth-variance of the echo signal in High-Resolution Wide-Swath (HRWS) SAR, two challenges have been faced in conventional imaging algorithms. The first challenge is constructing a precise range model of the whole scene and the second one is to develop an effective imaging algorithm since existing ones fail to process high-resolution and wide azimuth swath SAR data effectively. In this paper, an Advanced High-order Nonlinear Chirp Scaling (A-HNLCS) algorithm for HRWS SAR is proposed. First, a novel Second-Order Equivalent Squint Range Model (SOESRM) is developed to describe the range history of the whole scene, by introducing a quadratic curve to fit the deviation of the azimuth FM rate. Second, a corresponding algorithm is derived, where the azimuth-variance of the echo signal is solved by azimuth equalizing processing and accurate focusing is achieved through a high-order nonlinear chirp scaling algorithm. As a result, the whole scene can be accurately focused through one single imaging processing. Simulations are provided to validate the proposed range model and imaging algorithm.     

基于复Shearlet域高斯混合模型的SAR图像去噪

 结合双树复小波的平移不变性、多分辨率性和剪切波变换的灵活可选的多方向性,提出一种新的图像表达方法——复Shearlet变换。针对合成孔径雷达(Synthetic Aperture Radar,SAR)图像的相干噪声特点,建立了复Shearlet系数域的高斯混合模型(Gaussian Mixture Model,GSM),在此基础上应用贝叶斯最小二乘法进行系数估计,最后进行复Shearlet反变换得到去噪以后的SAR图像。仿真结果和分析表明:本文提出的算法相比其他变换域去噪算法,不仅去噪后的图像的峰值信噪比(Peak Signal to Noise Ratio, PSNR)有所提高,而且去噪后的图像更平滑,且与Shearlet域高斯混合模型相比,本文算法速度快了两倍多。     

A Generalized Approach to Multiresolution Complex SAR Signal Processing

Multiresolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image formation has been proven to be beneficial in a variety of applications such as improved imaging and target detection as well as speckle reduction. SAR signal processing traditionally carried out in the Fourier domain has inherent limitations in the context of image formation at hierarchical scales. We present a generalized approach to the formation of multiresolution SAR images using biorthogonal shift-invariant discrete wavelet transform (SIDWT) in both range and azimuth directions. Particularly in azimuth, the inherent subband decomposition property of wavelet packet transform is introduced to produce multiscale complex matched filtering without involving any approximations. This generalized approach also includes the formulation of multilook processing within the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) paradigm. The efficiency of the algorithm in parallel form of execution to generate hierarchical scale SAR images is shown. Analytical results and sample imagery of diffuse backscatter are presented to validate the method.     

Performance complexity study of several approaches to automatictarget recognition from SAR images

A framework which allows for the direct comparison of alternate approaches to automatic target recognition (ATR) from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is described and applied to variants of several ATR algorithms. This framework allows comparisons to be made on an even footing while minimizing the impact of implementation details and accounts for variation in image sizes, in angular resolution, and in the sizes of orientation windows used for training. Alternate approaches to ATR are characterized in terms of the best achievable performance as a function of the complexity of the model parameter database. Several approaches to ATR from SAR images are described and the performance achievable by each for a range of database complexities is studied and compared. These approaches are based on a likelihood test under a conditionally Gaussian model, log-magnitude least squared error, and quarter power least squared error. All approaches are evaluated for a wide range of parameterizations and the dependence on these parameters of both the resulting performance and the resulting database complexity is explored. Databases for all of the approaches are trained using identical sets of images and their performance is assessed under identical testing scenarios in terms of probability of correct classification, confusion matrices, and orientation estimation error. The results indicate that the conditionally Gaussian approach outperforms the other two approaches on average for both target recognition and orientation estimation, that accounting for radar power fluctuation improves performance for all three methods, and that the conditionally Gaussian approach normalized for power delivers average performance that is equal or superior to all other considered approaches     

GPS载体姿态测量中的LAMBDA方法研究

研究了采用双基线方案测量载体的姿态,利用 GPS载波相位干涉测量基线矢量,引入 LAMBDA法解算整周模糊度,由 CPU时间图可以看出这种方法能快速而准确地解算整周模糊度,对于实时姿态测量(RAD)系统具有很好的应用价值。     

Agile-beam synthetic aperture radar opportunities

The application of agile-beam (electronically steered) antennas to synthetic aperture radars (SARs) is examined. Agile-beam antennas are shown to provide significant advantages for SAR applications in which rapid search of wide areas is desired at high resolution. The analysis provides some useful insights into the operation of SARs and dispels a number of common misconceptions about the limitations of SARs