Synthetic aperture radar image simulation system

An intelligent Synthetic Aperture Radar simulation system can be used to optimize the design of SAR system parameters and select optimum SAR data acquisition mode. Previous research mainly focused on simulating geometric characteristics of SAR image, lacking of radiometric consideration in flat areas because of the complexity of the problem. The popular geometric model of Range Doppler Equations cannot be applied to SAR sensor pre-launched as it relies on so many parameters contained in the original SAR data. In this paper we develop a new simulation system based on simplified geometric model and statistical radar scattering model for different thematic contents. It can generate simulated SAR image product at different bands, polarizations, incidence angles and resolutions, according to user's need. As an experiment, a simulation example of ENVISAT ASAR is compared with the real data collected, to demonstrate the utility and correctness of the system.

[1]  D. O. Muhleman,et al.  Symposium on Radar and Radiometric Observations of Venus during the 1962 Conjunction: Radar scattering from Venus and the Moon , 1964 .

[2]  Gitta Domik,et al.  Dependence of image grey values on topography in SIR-B images , 1988 .

[3]  Franz Leberl,et al.  SAR image simulation and analysis of alpine terrain , 1998 .

[4]  Zhang Hong,et al.  Study on SAR image simulation based on SRTM DEM and landcover data , 2005, Proceedings. 2005 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 2005. IGARSS '05..

[5]  M. Adair,et al.  Analytic Formulation of Spaceborne SAR Image Geocoding and ``Value-Added'' Product Generation Procedures using Digital Elevation Data , 1992 .

[6]  B. Guindon.  Development of a SAR data acquisition planning tool (SARPLAN) based on image simulation , 1993 .

[7]  Andrew K. Skidmore,et al.  A comparison of techniques for calculating gradient and aspect from a gridded digital elevation model , 1989, Int. J. Geogr. Inf. Sci..

[8]  I. V. Yelizavetin,et al.  S-BAND RADAR IMAGERY IN STUDIES OF EARTH TERRAIN FEATURES , 1998 .

[9]  Hongxing Liu,et al.  Correction of Positional Errors and Geometric Distortions in Topographic Maps and DEMs Using a Rigorous SAR Simulation Technique , 2004 .

[10]  B. Guidon.  Performance evaluation of real-simulated image matching techniques in the acquisition of ground control for ERS-1 image geocoding , 1995 .

[11]  Michael Eineder,et al.  Efficient simulation of SAR interferograms of large areas and of rugged terrain , 2003, IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote. Sens..

[12]  Julian Holtzman,et al.  Radar Image Simulation , 1978, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience Electronics.

[13]  F. Ulaby,et al.  Handbook of radar scattering statistics for terrain , 1989 .