volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

In this contribution a model based on asymptotic methods is proposed to compute the scattered field from complex objects on a sea surface. The scattering model combines the geometrical optics, the physical optics and the method of equivalent currents. It includes the shadowing effects and multiple-bounce up to order 3. This model is used, in the following, for Radar Cross Section (RCS) estimation and to generate Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) raw data for imaging applications. The theoretical aspects are reviewed in this paper and the proposed model is detailed. Numerical results are provided to validate the approach through the computation of RCS for canonical objects and complex scenes. Both the bistatic and the monostatic configurations are studied in this work. Finally some first results dealing with SAR imaging of objects on a sea surface are provided. These images are constructed from the simulated raw data thanks to a chirp scaling-based algorithm.

1. Hazlett, M., D. Andersh, and S. Lee, "XPATCH: A high frequency electromagnetic scattering prediction code using shooting and bouncing rays," SPIE, Vol. 2469, 266-275, 1999.
doi:10.1117/12.210627

2. Rius, J., M. Ferrando, and L. Jofre, "GRECO: Graphical electromagnetic computing for RCS prediction in real time," IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, Vol. 35, No. 2, 7-17, 1993.
doi:10.1109/74.207645

3. Keller, J., "Geometrical theory of diffraction," Journal of the Optical Society of America, Vol. 52, 116-130, 1962.
doi:10.1364/JOSA.52.000116

4. Knott, E., J. Shaeffer, and M. Tuley, Radar Cross Section, 2 Ed., SciTech Publishing, 2004.

5. Michaeli, A., "Equivalent edge currents for arbitrary aspect of observation," IEEE Trans. on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 32, No. 3, 252-258, 1984.
doi:10.1109/TAP.1984.1143303

6. Ufimtsev, P., "Method of edge waves in the physical theory of diffraction,", (in translation from the Russian version published by Soviet Radio Publication House, Moscow, 1962), Tech. Rep. Document ID FTD-HC-23-259-71, Air Force Systems Command, Foreign Tech., 1971.

7. Burkholder, R., P. Janpugdee, and D. Colak, "Development of computational tools for predicting the radar scattering from targets on a rough sea surface,", Tech. Rep. 735231-3, ElectroScience Lab, The Ohio State University, 2001.

8. Kim, K., J.-H. Kim, and D.-S. Cho, "Radar cross section analysis of marine targets using a combining method of physical optics/geometric optics and a monte-carlo simulation," Ocean Engineering, Vol. 36, No. 11, 821-830, 2009.
doi:10.1016/j.oceaneng.2009.05.005

9. Luo, W., M. Zhang, Y.-W. Zhao, and H. Chen, "An efficient hybrid high-frequency solution for the composite scattering of the ship very large two-dimensional sea surface," Progress In Electromagnetics Research M, Vol. 8, 79-89, 2009.
doi:10.2528/PIERM09050103

10. Xu, F. and Y.-Q. Jin, "Bidirectional analytic ray tracing for fast computation of composite scattering from electric-large target over a randomly rough surface," IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 57, No. 5, 1495-1505, 2009.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2009.2016691

11. Ye, H. and Y.-Q. Jin, "Fast iterative approach to difference scattering from the target above a rough surface," IEEe Trans. Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Vol. 44, No. 1, 108-115, 2006.
doi:10.1109/TGRS.2005.859955

12. Mishra, A. and B. Mulgrew, "Generation of sar image for real-life objects using general purpose em simulators," IETE Technical Review, Vol. 26, No. 1, 18-27, 2009.
doi:10.4103/0256-4602.48465

13. Margarit, G., J. Mallorqui, J. Rius, and J. Sanz-Marcos, "On the usage of grecosar, an orbital polarimetric sar simulator of complex targets, to vessel classification studies," IEEE Trans. Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Vol. 44, No. 12, 3517-3526, 2006.
doi:10.1109/TGRS.2006.881120

14. Auer, S., S. Hinz, and R. Bamler, "Ray-tracing simulation techniques for understanding high-resolution SAR images," IEEE Trans. Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Vol. 48, No. 3, 1445-1456, 2010.
doi:10.1109/TGRS.2009.2029339

15. Airiau, O. and A. Khenchaf, "A methodology for modeling and simulating target echoes with a moving polarimetric bistatic radar," Radio Science, Vol. 35, No. 3, 773-782, 2000.
doi:10.1029/1999RS002158

16. Comblet, F., A. Khenchaf, A. Baussard, and F. Pellen, "Bistatic synthetic aperture radar imaging: Theory, simulations, and validations," IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 54, No. 11, 3529-3540, 2006.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2006.884223

17. Arnold-Bos, A., A. Khenchaf, and A. Martin, "Bistatic radar imaging of the marine environment. Part I: Theoretical background," IEEE Trans. on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Vol. 45, No. 11, 3372-3383, 2007.
doi:10.1109/TGRS.2007.897436

18. Arnold-Bos, A., A. Khenchaf, and A. Martin, "Bistatic radar imaging of the marine environment. Part II: Simulation and results analysis," IEEE Trans. on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Vol. 45, No. 11, 3384-3396, 2007.
doi:10.1109/TGRS.2007.899812

19. Dos Santos, M. and N. Rabelo, "On the ludwig integration algorithm for triangular subregions," IEEE Proceedings, No. 10, 1986.

20. Michaeli, A., "Elimination of infinities in equivalent edge current. Part 1: Physical optics components," IEEE Trans. on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 34, No. 8, 1034-1037, 1986.
doi:10.1109/TAP.1986.1143941

21. Michaeli, A., "Elimination of infinities in equivalent edge currents, part II: Physical optics components," IEEE Trans. on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 34, No. 8, 1034-1037, 1986.
doi:10.1109/TAP.1986.1143941

22. Polycarpou, A., C. Balanis, and P. Tirkas, "Radar cross section evaluation of the square trihedral corner reflector using PO and MEC," IEEE International Antennas and Propagation Symposium, Vol. 3, 1428-1431, 1993.

23. Burkholder, R. and K. Jamil, "Simulation of electromagnetic scattering experiments in the NSWC Carderock MASK facility,", Tech. Rep. 742961-1, 2003.

24. Elfouhaily, T., B. Chapron, and K. Katsaros, "A unified directional spectrum for long and short," Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 102, No. C7, 15-781, 1997.
doi:10.1029/97JC00467

25. Pierson, W. and L. Moskowitz, "A proposed spectral form for fully developed wind seas based upon the similarity theory of s.a. Kitaigorodskii," Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 69, 5181-5190, 1964.
doi:10.1029/JZ069i024p05181

26. Fung, A. K. and K. K. Lee, "A semi-empirical sea-spectrum model for scattering coefficient estimation," IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering, Vol. 7, No. 4, 166-176, 1982.
doi:10.1109/JOE.1982.1145535

27. Cao, Q.-F., S. Liu, and P.-G. Xu, "SCTE: RCS prediction system for complex target and interaction with environment," Wuhan University Journal of Natural Sciences, Vol. 4, No. 3, 299-303, 1999.
doi:10.1007/BF02842355

28. Klein, L. and C. Swift, "An improved model for the dielectric constant of sea water at microwave frequencies," IEEE Trans. on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 25, No. 1, 104-111, 1977.
doi:10.1109/TAP.1977.1141539

29. Ulaby, F. T., R. K. Moore, and A. K. Fung, Microwave Remote Sensing: Active and Passive, Vol. 2, Artech House, 1986.

30. Cox, C. and W. Munk, "Statistics of the sea surface derived from sun glitter," Journal of Marine Research, Vol. 13, 198-227, 1954.

31. Rice, S., "Reflection of electromagnetic waves from slightly rough surfaces," Theory of Electromagnetic Waves, 351-378, 1951.

32. Khenchaf, A. and O. Airiau, "Bistatic radar moving returns from sea surface," IEICE Trans. on Electronics, Vol. E83-C, No. 12, 1827-1835, 2000.

33. Ishimaru, A., Wave Propagation and Scattering in Random Media, Academic Press, 1978.

34. Moreira, A., J. Mittermayer, and R. Scheiber, "Extended chirp scaling algorithm for air- and spaceborne SAR data processing in stripmap and scansar imaging modes," IEEE Trans. on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Vol. 34, No. 5, 1123-1136, 1996.
doi:10.1109/36.536528

Dr. Alexandre Baussard

Dr. M. Rochdi

Prof. Ali Khenchaf