Scattering-Based Model of the SAR Signatures of Complex Targets for Classification Applications. (4th August 2008)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Margarit, Gerard; Mallorqui, Jordi J.
• Other Names: Watts Simon Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of navigation and observation. Volume 2008(2008)
• Publication Date: 2008-08-04
• Subjects: Navigation -- Periodicals; Remote sensing -- Periodicals; Geographic information systems -- Periodicals; Global Positioning System -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Navigation; Télédétection; Systèmes d'information géographique; GPS; Sciences de la terre; Environnement -- Surveillance; Earth sciences; Environmental monitoring; Geographic information systems; Global Positioning System; Navigation; Remote sensing; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 629.045
• DOI: 10.1155/2008/426267
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-5990

Abstract

Abstract : The modeling of complex target response in SAR imagery is the main subject of this paper. The analysis of a large database of SAR images with polarimetric and interferometric capabilities is used to accurately establish how the different structural parts of targets interact with the incident signal. This allows to relate the reflectivity information provided by SAR images with specific geometries and to fix variation reflectivity patterns in terms of different imaging parameters such as image resolution, incidence angle, or operating frequency. Most of the used images have been obtained from the SAR simulator of complex targets developed at UPC, which is able to generate realistic data for a wide range of observation and environmental conditions. The result is a precise scattering-based SAR model that opens the door, among others, to an alternative way for reliable geometry retrieval. Under this approach, a novel SAR classification method for ships has been proposed. The preliminary evaluation in simulated scenarios shows a notable classification capability even under strong clutter and ship motion conditions. Due to these promising results, the same methodology is intended to be applied to urban areas. Concerns about possible model limitations and required improvements are preliminarily treated.