Without motion compensation, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images of the ground are generally blurred. In 1997, MITRE reported the development technique called the Keystone Process for removing the range migration caused by the radial velocity component of each pixel's movement within the scene, whether moving or stationary with respect to the ground. When applied to multiple phase center phased array radar data, this first pass process allows for automated detection of moving targets via phase thresholding. Once detected in phase space, the moving targets can be individually and automatically focused using the procedures previously reported. Automated positioning of the detected target within the formed image is then accomplished (georegistration)We can easily detect and accurately georegister bright (large radar cross-sections) moving targets using a phase threshold technique reported herein. However, we have found that, for smaller targets, the phase differences between the cells containing the moving target can be greatly distorted by the presence of strong ground clutter. Only after the ground clutter is cancelled will the phase difference be sufficiently dominated by the target response to allow accurate geopositioning. Herein we describe one technique whereby the clutter may be cancelled by using multiple phase centers.
Well executed SAR images are picture-like and it is possible to identify various kinds of targets, e.g., trucks, ships, etc. However, from a single SAR image, it is not possible to determine which surface targets are moving. In many applications, it is imperative to detect objects that are moving and track them through stop-go-stop motion. We have developed a technique for detecting moving surface targets in a single frame of multi-channel SAR image using phase-interferometry. In this paper, we present results using airborne SAR data.
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