SAR image formation by backprojection of range velocity segments

Abstract:
Several algorithms have been developed to calculate SAR images from received raw data of a moving radar sensor. While the time domain backprojection offers a flexible possibility that can be applied in all situations, there are much more efficient methods that succeed in frequency domain. Also, fast time domain methods have been published. This paper presents a new approach for SAR image formation. It first transforms data segments to the two-dimensional frequency domain, and in a second step further to the range velocity domain. Based on these range velocity segments a two-dimensional backprojection step to the image grid is implemented. Validation of the proposed method is done using simulated SAR data and real data of an airborne SAR system.