This report describes algorithms which make use of polarimetric radar information in the detection and discrimination of targets in a ground clutter background. The optimal polarimetric detector (OPD) is derived; this algorithm processes the complete polarization scattering matrix (PSM) and provides the best possible detection performance from polarimetric radar data. Also derived is the best linear polarimetric detector, the polarimetric matched filter (PMF), and the structure of this detector is related to simple polarimetric target types. New polarimetric target and clutter models are described; these models are used to predict the performance of the OPD and the PMF. The performance of these algorithms is compared with that of simpler detectors that use only amplitude information to detect targets. Finally, the ability to discriminate between target types by exploiting differences in polarimetric scattering properties is discussed. m 10 SUMMARY 49 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 50 REFERENCES 51 APPENDIX 53 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Figure Page No. No. 1 Algorithm Performance Comparison vs T/C Ratio (Single-Look 32 Homogeneous Models) 2 Performance of Optimal Normalized Polarimetric Detector vs 34 T/C Ratio (Single-Look, Homogeneous Models) 3 Algorithm Performance Comparison vs N Looks (T/C = 6 dB, 35 Homogeneous Models) 4 Algorithm Performance Comparison vs T/C Ratio [Single-Look 36 Product Model (a = 3 dB, a = 1.5 dB)] 5 Algorithm Performance Comparison vs N Looks [T/C = 6 dB, 38 Product Models (a t = 3 dB, a c = 1.5 dB)] 6 Sensitivity of OPD to Clutter St. Dev. [T/C = 6 dB, 39 Product Model (a t = 3 dB)] 7 Sensitivity of OPD to Target St. Dev. [T/C = 6 dB, 40 Product Model (a c = 1.5 dB)] 8 Algorithm Performance Comparison [T/C = 6 dB, Product Models 42 (a t = 3 dB, a c = 2 dB)] 9 Algorithm Performance Comparison vs T/C Ratio [Single-Look 44 Product Model (a t = 3 dB, a. = 1.5 dB)] 10 Algorithm Performance Comparison vs N Looks [T/C = 6 dB, 45 Product Models (a t = 3 dB, a c = 1.5 dB)] 11 Algorithm Performance Comparison [T/C = 6 dB, Product Models 46 (a t = 3 dB, a c = 2 dB)]LIST OF TABLES vn Evaluating the above distance measures, one obtains an expression for the detection statistic [6] of targets in a ground clutter background. The optimal polarimetric detector (OPD) is derived; this algorithm processes the complete polarization scattering matrix (PSM) and provides the best possible detection performance from polarimetric radar data. Also derived is the best linear polarimetric detector, the polarimetric matched filter (PMF), and the structure of this detector is related to simple polarimetric target types. New polarimetric target and clutter models are described; these models are used to predict the performance of the OPD and the PMF. The performance of these algorithms is compared to that of simpler detectors that use only amplitude information to detect targets. Finally, the ability to discriminate between target types by exploiting differences in polarimetric scattering properties is discussed.

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