Higher order nonlinear chirp scaling algorithm for medium Earth orbit synthetic aperture radar

Abstract. Due to the larger orbital arc and longer synthetic aperture time in medium Earth orbit (MEO) synthetic aperture radar (SAR), it is difficult for conventional SAR imaging algorithms to achieve a good imaging result. An improved higher order nonlinear chirp scaling (NLCS) algorithm is presented for MEO SAR imaging. First, the point target spectrum of the modified equivalent squint range model-based signal is derived, where a concise expression is obtained by the method of series reversion. Second, the well-known NLCS algorithm is modified according to the new spectrum and an improved algorithm is developed. The range dependence of the two-dimensional point target reference spectrum is removed by improved CS processing, and accurate focusing is realized through range-matched filter and range-dependent azimuth-matched filter. Simulations are performed to validate the presented algorithm.