Virtual Antenna Array Analysis for MIMO Synthetic Aperture Radars

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) that employs multiple antennas to transmit orthogonal waveforms and multiple antennas to receive radar echoes is a recently proposed remote sensing concept. It has been shown that MIMO SAR can be used to improve remote sensing system performance. Most of the MIMO SAR research so far focused on signal/data models and corresponding signal processing algorithm. Little work related to MIMO SAR antenna analysis can be found. One of the main advantages of MIMO SAR is that the degrees of freedom can be greatly increased by the concept of virtual antenna array. In this paper, we analyze the virtual antenna array for MIMO SAR high-resolution wide-swath remote sensing applications. The one-dimensional uniform and nonuniform linear antenna arrays are investigated and their application potentials in high-resolution wide-swath remote sensing are introduced. The impacts of nonuniform spatial sampling in the virtual antenna array are analyzed, along with a multichannel filtering-based reconstruction algorithm. Conceptual system and discussions are provided. It is shown that high operation flexibility and reconfigurability can be obtained by utilizing the virtual antenna arrays provided by the MIMO SAR systems, thus enabling a satisfactory remote sensing performance

Multistatic SAR Imaging: Comparison of Simulation Results and Experimental Data

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems in a multistatic configuration are a promising candidate for future Earth observation and reconnaissance radar systems. They overcome the sampling constraints inherent to single-channel SAR systems. Thus, a multistatic SAR system enables the acquisition of high-resolution images while maintaining wide-swath coverage. Employing several small satellites instead of a single large one, a cost-efficient system with graceful degradation characteristics can be envisaged. Additionally, such a constellation or swarm of sensors offers interferometric and tomographic capabilities, which a single-satellite system is not able to provide. This paper shows results of multistatic experiments obtained with TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X and compares these results with theoretical simulations. The key parameters analyzed are the Doppler spectrum and the azimuth ambiguity suppression

Multistatic SAR Imaging: First Results of a Four Phase Center Experiment with TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X

Multichannel synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging offers the possibility to overcome the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) constraints inherent to single-channel SAR systems. The multichannel approach enables the acquisition of wide swathes with high azimuth resolution. Using a constellation or swarm of small satellites, a cost efficient, faulttolerant system can be envisaged. This paper describes the first results of a multistatic four phase center experiment conducted with TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X. The experiment is intended to increase the know-how and demonstrate the capabilities for the design of future SAR systems. Key challenges are addressed, the experimental acquisition is described and an evaluation approach is presented. Finally, first results focusing on the azimuth ambiguity performance are shown

Generalized continuous wave synthetic aperture radar for high resolution and wide swath remote sensing

© 2018 IEEE. A generalized continuous wave synthetic aperture radar (GCW-SAR) concept is proposed in this paper. By using full-duplex radio frontend and continuous wave signaling, the GCW-SAR system can overcome a number of limitations inherent within the existing SAR systems and achieve high-resolution and wide-swath remote sensing with low-power signal transmission. Unlike the conventional pulsed SAR and the frequency-modulated continuous-wave SAR, the GCW-SAR reconstructs a radar image by directly correlating the received 1-D raw data after self-interference cancellation with predetermined location-dependent reference signals. A fast imaging algorithm, called the piecewise constant Doppler (PCD) algorithm, is also proposed, which produces the radar image recursively in the azimuth direction without any intermediate step, such as range compression and migration compensation, as required by conventional algorithms. By removing the stop-and-go assumption or slow-time sampling in azimuth, the PCD algorithm not only achieves better imaging quality but also allows for more flexible waveform and system designs. Analyses and simulations show that the GCW-SAR tolerates significant self-interference and works well with a large selection of various system parameters. The work presented in this paper establishes a solid theoretical foundation for next-generation imaging radars

Optimized Nonlinear PRI Variation Strategy Using Knowledge-Guided Genetic Algorithm for Staggered SAR Imaging

Staggered synthetic aperture radar (SAR), which operates with variable pulse repetition interval (PRI), staggers blind areas to solve the blind range problem caused by constant PRI in conventional high-resolution wide-swath SAR imaging. The PRI variation strategy determines the blind area distribution, and thus has a significant influence on the imaging performance in staggered mode. Generally, the existing strategies based on linear PRI variation can control the blind areas in a straightforward way, which has achieved impressive results. However, the linearity of the PRI variation imposes regularity or even periodicity on the locations of the blind areas, which limits the distribution of the blind areas. The imaging performance has the potential to be further improved by introducing much more irregularity into the PRI sequences. To this end, this article proposes an optimized nonlinear PRI variation strategy for staggered SAR mode. First, a novel objective function is defined that quantitatively measures the uniformity of the blind area distribution along the slant range and the discontinuity of the blind area distribution along the azimuth. Subsequently, the optimum nonlinear PRI variation strategy is found using an optimization problem and the proposed objective function. A knowledge-guided genetic algorithm is proposed to solve the optimization problem. Comparisons with the existing linear variation strategies show that the proposed strategy can provide a superior imaging performance after reconstruction with a lower objective function value. Simulations and experiments on raw data generated in staggered SAR mode are performed to verify the effectiveness of the optimized nonlinear PRI variation strategy

Ground moving target indication with synthetic aperture radars for maritime surveillance

The explosive growth of shipping traffic all over the World, with around three quarters of the total trade goods and crude oil transported by sea, has raised newly emerging concerns (economical, ecological, social and geopolitical). Geo-information (location and speed) of ocean-going vessels is crucial in the maritime framework, playing a key role in the related environmental monitoring, fisheries management and maritime/coastal security. In this scenario space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) remote sensing is a potential tool for globally monitoring the oceans and seas, providing two-dimensional high-resolution imaging capabilities in all-day and all-weather conditions. The combination of ground moving target indication (GMTI) modes with multichannel spaceborne SAR systems represents a powerful apparatus for surveillance of maritime activities. The level of readiness of such a technology for road traffic monitoring is still low, and for the marine scenario is even less mature. Some of the current space-based SAR missions include an experimental GMTI mode with reduced detection capabilities, especially for small and slow moving targets. In this framework, this doctoral dissertation focuses on the study and analysis of the GMTI limitations of current state-of-the-art SAR missions when operating over maritime scenarios and the proposal of novel and optimal multichannel SAR-GMTI architectures, providing subclutter visibility of small (reduced reflectivity) slow moving vessels. This doctoral activity carries out a transversal analysis embracing system-architecture proposal and optimization, processing strategies assessment, performance evaluation, sea/ocean clutter characterization and adequate calibration methodologies suggestion. Firstly, the scarce availability of multichannel SAR-GMTI raw data and the related restrictions to access it have raised the need to implement flexible simulation tools for SAR-GMTI performance evaluation and mission. These simulation tools allow the comparative study and evaluation of the SAR-GMTI mode operated with current SAR missions, showing the reduced ability of these missions to detect small and slow boats in subclutter visibility. Improved performance is achieved with the new multichannel architecture based on non-uniformly distributed receivers (with external deployable antennas), setting the ground for future SAR-GMTI mission development. Some experimental multichannel SAR-GMTI data sets over the sea and acquired with two instruments, airborne F-SAR and spaceborne TerraSAR-X (TSX) platforms, have been processed to evaluate their detection capabilities as well as the adequate processing strategies (including channel balancing). This doctoral activity presents also a preliminary characterization of the sea clutter returns imaged by the spaceborne TSX instrument in a three-level basis, i.e., radiometric, statistical and polarimetric descriptions using experimental polarimetric data. This study has shown that the system-dependent limitations, such as thermal noise and temporal decorrelation, play a key role in the appropriate interpretation of the data and so should be properly included in the physical backscattering models of the sea. Current and most of the upcoming SAR missions are based on active phase array antennas (APAA) technology for the operation of multiple modes of acquisitions. The related calibration is a complex procedure due to the high number of different beams to be operated. Alternative internal calibration methodologies have been proposed and analyzed in the frame of this doctoral thesis. These approaches improved the radiometric calibration performance compared to the conventional ones. The presented formulation of the system errors as well as the proposed alternative strategies set the path to extrapolate the analysis for multichannel SAR systems.L'increment continu del tràfic marítim arreu del món, amb gairebé tres quartes parts del total de mercaderies i cru transportats per mar, porta associats uns impactes canviants a nivell econòmic, ambiental, social i geopolític. La geo-informació (localització i velocitat) dels vaixells té un paper fonamental en el monitoratge ambiental, la gestió de la pesca i la seguretat marítima/costanera. Els radars d'obertura sintètica (SAR, sigles en anglès) embarcats en satèl·lits són una eina molt potent per al monitoratge global dels oceans i dels mars, gràcies a la seva capacitat de generar imatges d'alta resolució amb independència de les condicions meteorològiques i de la llum solar. La detecció de blancs mòbils terrestres (GMTI, sigles en anglès) combinada amb sistemes multicanal SAR és fonamental per a la vigilància de les activitats marítimes. El nivell de maduresa d'aquesta tecnologia per monitorar tràfic rodat és baix, però per al cas marítim encara ho és més. Algunes missions SAR orbitals inclouen el mode GMTI, però amb unes capacitats de detecció reduïdes, especialment per a blancs petits i lents. En aquest marc, la tesi doctoral es centra en l'estudi i anàlisi de les limitacions GMTI dels actuals sistemes SAR operant en entorns marítims, proposant noves configuracions SAR-GMTI multicanal optimitzades per a la detecció de vaixells petits (emmascarats pels retrons radar del mar) i que es mouen lentament. La present dissertació doctoral du a terme un estudi transversal que abasta des de la proposta i optimització de sistemes/configuracions, passant per l'avaluació de les tècniques de processat, fins a l'estudi del rendiment de la missió, caracterització del mar i la valoració de noves metodologies de calibratge. En primer terme, diverses eines de simulació flexibles s'han implementat per poder avaluar les capacitats GMTI de diferents missions tenint en compte la poca disponibilitat de dades multicanal SAR-GMTI. Aquests simuladors permeten l'estudi comparatiu de les capacitats GMTI de les missions SAR orbitals actuals, demostrant les seves reduïdes opcions per identificar vaixells emmascarats pels retorns del mar. En el marc de l'activitat de recerca s'han processat dades experimentals SAR-GMTI multicanal de sistemes aeris (F-SAR) i orbitals (TerraSAR-X), per tal d'avaluar les seves capacitats de detecció de blancs mòbils sobre entorns marítims, proposant les estratègies de processat i calibratge més adients. Com a part de l'activitat de recerca doctoral, s'ha portat a terme una caracterització preliminar dels retorns radar del mar adquirits amb el sensor orbital TerraSAR-X, amb tres nivells d'anàlisi (radiomètric, estadístic i polarimètric). Aquest estudi demostra que aspectes com el soroll tèrmic i la decorrelació temporal, dependents del propi sensor i de l'entorn dinàmic del mar, poden limitar la correcta interpretació de les dades, i per tant, s'han d'incloure en els models físics dels mecanismes de dispersió del mar. Les missions SAR tant actuals com futures es basen en l'explotació de la tecnologia de les agrupacions d'antenes de fase activa (APAA) per operar diferents modes d'adquisició. El procés de calibratge associat és molt complex atès el gran nombre de feixos que es poden utilitzar. En el marc de la tesi doctoral s'han proposat i avaluat metodologies alternatives de calibratge intern per aquests sistemes, amb un millor rendiment en comparació amb les tècniques convencionals. Aquestes estratègies de calibratge, juntament amb la corresponent formulació dels errors de sistema, estableixen les bases per a l'estudi i avaluació en sistemes multicanal SA