Synthetic Aperture Radar Processing (Electronic Engineering Systems Series)
Synthetic Aperture Radar Processing simply and methodically presents principles and techniques of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image generation by analyzing its system transfer function. The text considers the full array of operation modes from strip to scan, emphasizes processing techniques, enabling the design of operational SAR codes. A simple example then follows.
This book will be invaluable to all SAR scientists and engineers working in the field. It may be used as the basis for a course on SAR image generation or as a reference book on remote sensing. It contains a wide spectrum of information presented with clarity and rigor.
Why Read This Book
You will get a clear, mathematically rigorous route from SAR physics to implementable image-formation algorithms by studying system transfer functions rather than ad-hoc recipes. The book balances theory and practical processing techniques so you can both understand why algorithms work and design operational SAR processing code.
Who Will Benefit
Practicing radar and signal-processing engineers, graduate students, and remote-sensing scientists who need a rigorous, implementation-minded treatment of SAR image formation and processing.
Level: Advanced — Prerequisites: Undergraduate-level signals and systems (Fourier transforms, convolution), linear algebra, basic probability/statistics, and familiarity with radar concepts (pulse compression, range/azimuth geometry); MATLAB or equivalent experience is helpful for hands-on work.
Key Takeaways
- Analyze the SAR system transfer function and relate it to image formation and resolution
- Derive and apply matched filtering and range-compression techniques for SAR
- Implement and compare azimuth focusing methods including range-Doppler, chirp-scaling, and backprojection
- Design processing chains for different SAR modes (stripmap, spotlight, ScanSAR) and understand trade-offs
- Apply motion compensation, sampling, and interpolation strategies to preserve image fidelity
- Evaluate system performance metrics (resolution, sidelobes, radiometric accuracy) from first principles
Topics Covered
- 1. Introduction to Synthetic Aperture Radar and Imaging Objectives
- 2. SAR Geometry and Signal Modeling
- 3. Fourier Analysis and the System Transfer Function
- 4. Range Processing: Pulse Compression and Matched Filtering
- 5. Azimuth Processing: Doppler History and Azimuth Compression
- 6. Image Formation Algorithms: Range-Doppler, Chirp-Scaling, and Backprojection
- 7. Processing for Different Modes: Stripmap, Spotlight, and ScanSAR
- 8. Motion Compensation and Precision Focusing
- 9. Sampling, Interpolation, and Practical Implementation Issues
- 10. System Design, Performance Analysis, and Trade-offs
- 11. Worked Example and Reference Implementation Notes
- 12. Appendices: Mathematical Tools, Transforms, and Conventions
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
Compared with Curlander & McDonough's Synthetic Aperture Radar (which emphasizes system engineering and broader signal processing), Franceschetti focuses more tightly on transfer-function analysis and image-formation algorithm design; for image interpretation rather than processing, Oliver & Quegan is the usual complementary reference.
