Study On Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Imaging Techniques

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a kind of high resolution imaging radar, which has been developed since 1950s. Using SAR we can obtain high-resolution radar images under all weather, day and night and long distance conditions. So it is of high value in military and civil applications.In the SAR imaging algorithms, the most popular algorithm is Range-Doppler (R-D) algorithm. The R-D algorithm improves calculation efficiency observably, but its interpolation brings additional calculation and image distortion. Then all kinds of imaging algorithms appeared such as improved R-D algorithm, Wavenumber Domain algorithm, Chirp-Scaling (C-S) algorithm and improved C-S algorithm etc. In accordance with the National Defense Preliminary Research Project, we research R-D algorithm, C-S algorithm and improved C-S algorithm using the raw data recorded by an airborne SAR.In the introduction to this dissertation, the research significations and developments of SAR imaging techniques are reviewed. The main contribution of this dissertation is also summarized here.In chapter 2, we summarized the classification and development of the Synthetic Aperture Radar.In chapter 3, we particularly introduce the principle of high-resolution and imaging. The Doppler analysis of high-resolution is also discussed.In chapter 4, the R-D algorithm, Wavenumber Domain algorithm and C-S algorithm are studied. And we particularly deduce the improved C-S algorithm.In chapter 5, the real time data is imaged in the R-D algorithm and improved C-S algorithm. And the results of images are compared.In the end, conclusions are made and the possible future work is explained.