This paper presents a synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
simulator that is able to generate polarimetric SAR (POLSAR)
and polarimetric inverse SAR data of complex targets. It solves
the electromagnetic problem via high-frequency approximations,
such as physical optics and the physical theory of diffraction,
with notable computational efficiency. In principle, any orbital
monostatic sensor working at any band, resolution, and operating
mode can be modeled. To make simulations more realistic, the
target’s bearing and speed are considered, and for the particular
case of vessels, even the translational and rotational movements
induced by the sea state. All these capabilities make the simulator
a powerful tool for supplying large amounts of data with precise
scenario information and for testing future sensor configurations.
In this paper, the usefulness of the simulator on vessel classification
studies is assessed. Several simulated polarimetric images are
presented to analyze the potentialities of coherent target decompositions
for classifying complex geometries, thus basing an operational
algorithm. The limitations highlighted by the results suggest
that other approaches, like POLSAR interferometry, should be
explored.Peer Reviewe
