A UAV-Based SAR Raw Data Simulator for Complex Scenes

Abstract:
The performance of high resolution SAR systems under degrading conditions such as uncontrolled platform motion can only be analyzed and evaluated by modeling the whole imaging system through simulation. A major scientific problem however, is the generation of SAR raw data in consideration of high numerical and modeling accuracy, and restricted computer time and space. This paper proposes a raw data generator with which the raw data set of a complex scene can be simulated and which combines the precision obtainable when working in the time domain with the efficiency of work in the frequency domain. The generated raw data are processed with a modified (ω,k)-algorithm and then analyzed to quantify the quality of the proposed simulation tool.