Josef Mittermayer

Extended chirp scaling algorithm for air- and spaceborne SAR data processing in stripmap and ScanSAR imaging modes

Presents a generalized formulation of the extended chirp scaling (ECS) approach for high precision processing of air- and spaceborne SAR data. Based on the original chirp scaling function, the ECS algorithm incorporates a new azimuth scaling function and a subaperture approach, which allow an effective phase-preserving processing of ScanSAR data without interpolation for azimuth geometric correction. The azimuth scaling can also be used for automatic azimuth coregistration of interferometric image pairs which are acquired with different sampling distances. Additionally, a novel range scaling formulation is proposed for automatic range coregistration of interferometric image pairs or for improved robustness for the processing of highly squinted data. Several simulation and processing results of air- and spaceborne SAR data are presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed algorithms.

Spotlight SAR data processing using the frequency scaling algorithm

This paper presents a new processing algorithm for spotlight SAR data processing. The algorithm performs the range cell migration correction for non-chirped raw data without interpolation by using a novel frequency scaling operation. The azimuth processing is based on a spectral analysis approach which is made highly accurate by azimuth scaling. In almost all processing stages, a subaperture approach is introduced for efficient azimuth processing. In this paper, the complete derivation of the algorithm is presented. A very useful formulation for non-chirped SAR signals in the range Doppler domain is also proposed where the residual video phase is expressed by a chirp convolution. The algorithm performance is shown by several simulations. A spotlight image, which has been extracted from stripmap raw data of the experimental SAR system of DLR, shows the validity of the frequency scaling algorithm.

Processing of Sliding Spotlight and TOPS SAR Data Using Baseband Azimuth Scaling

This paper presents an efficient phase preserving processor for the focusing of data acquired in sliding spotlight and Terrain Observation by Progressive Scans (TOPS) imaging modes. They share in common a linear variation of the Doppler centroid along the azimuth dimension, which is due to a steering of the antenna (either mechanically or electronically) throughout the data take. Existing approaches for the azimuth processing can become inefficient due to the additional processing to overcome the folding in the focused domain. In this paper, a new azimuth scaling approach is presented to perform the azimuth processing, whose kernel is exactly the same for sliding spotlight and TOPS modes. The possibility to use the proposed approach to process data acquired in the ScanSAR mode, as well as a discussion concerning staring spotlight, is also included. Simulations with point targets and real data acquired by TerraSAR-X in sliding spotlight and TOPS modes are used to validate the developed algorithm.

TOPS Imaging With TerraSAR-X: Mode Design and Performance Analysis

This paper reports about the performed investigations for the implementation of the wide-swath TOPS (Terrain Observation by Progressive Scan) imaging mode with TerraSAR-X (TSX). The TOPS mode overcomes the limitations imposed by the ScanSAR mode by steering the antenna along track during the acquisition of a burst. In this way, all targets are illuminated with the complete azimuth antenna pattern, and, thus, scalloping is circumvented, and an azimuth dependence of signal-to-noise ratio and distributed target ambiguity ratio (DTAR) is avoided. However, the use of electronically steered antennas leads to a quantization of the steering law and a nonideal pattern for squinted angles (grating lobes and main lobe reduction). The former provokes spurious peaks, while the latter introduces slight scalloping and DTAR deterioration. These effects are analyzed and quantified for TSX, and a TOPS system design approach is presented. Next, the requirements concerning interferometry are investigated. Finally, several results are shown with the TSX data, including a comparison between the TOPS and the ScanSAR modes and the reporting of the first TOPS interferometric results.

Sliding spotlight SAR processing for TerraSAR-X using a new formulation of the extended chirp scaling algorithm

This paper describes the sliding spotlight algorithm and the processing strategy to be applied for TerraSAR-X. The steering spotlight geometry is analysed. Analysis of scene size and resolution demonstrates the particularities of this mode. The Doppler frequencies for individual targets and for a whole sliding spotlight scene are analyzed and the result shows the applicabil- ity of azimuth subaperture processing to sliding spotlight data. A description of the Extended Chirp Scaling Algorithm for sliding spotlight is presented.

Total zero Doppler Steering-a new method for minimizing the Doppler centroid

This letter presents a new method, called total Zero Doppler steering, to perform yaw and pitch steering for spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems. The new method reduces the Doppler centroid to theoretically 0 Hz, independent of the range position of interest. Residual errors are only due to pointing inaccuracy or due to approximations in the implementation of the total zero Doppler steering law. This letter compares the new method with currently applied methods. The attitude angles and the residual Doppler centroid frequencies are calculated and depicted exemplarily for the parameters of TerraSAR-X, for which the new method will be implemented and used. The new method provides a number of advantages. The low residual Doppler centroid and the reduced variation of the Doppler centroid over range allow a more accurate Doppler centroid estimation. Due to the low residual Doppler centroid, the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) processing can be alleviated, since the range cell migration is reduced and the Doppler frequencies are low. This facilitates the use of very efficient processing algorithms, which are based on approximations whose quality is better for low Doppler frequencies. The new method will furthermore optimize the overlap of the azimuth spectra of SAR image pairs for cross-track interferometry. Low Doppler centroids will also reduce the impact of coregistration errors on the interferometric phase. Furthermore, scalloping corrections in the ScanSAR processing are alleviated due to the low variation of the Doppler centroid over range.

Conceptual studies for exploiting the TerraSAR-X dual receive antenna

This Paper describes the newly introduced Dual Re- ceive Antenna Mode (DRA) of the TerraSAR-X instrument. It explains the principle of forming two receiving antennas and deals with the already identified new applications and experi- ments enabled by this new mode, e.g. along track interferometry, geometric resolution enhancement and full polarimetric mode.

On the Processing of Very High Resolution Spaceborne SAR Data

This paper addresses several important aspects that need to be considered for the processing of spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data with resolutions in the decimeter range. In particular, it will be shown how the motion of the satellite during the transmission/reception of the chirp signal and the effect of the troposphere deteriorate the impulse response function if not properly considered. Further aspects that have been investigated include the curved orbit, the array pattern for electronically steered antennas, and several considerations within the processing itself. For each aspect, a solution is proposed, and the complete focusing methodology is expounded and validated using simulated point targets and staring spotlight data acquired by TerraSAR-X with 16-cm azimuth resolution and 300-MHz range bandwidth.

The TerraSAR-X Staring Spotlight Mode Concept

The paper investigates the possibility to enhance the TerraSAR-X (TSX) azimuth resolution by means of staring spotlight imaging in combination with an extended azimuth pattern steering. The current TSX spotlight modes are briefly reviewed, and the azimuth steering limitations are discussed. Based on a realistic TSX azimuth pattern simulation and performance estimation using a Kepler orbit and the WGS84 reference ellipsoid, the key performance parameters are estimated for an increasing azimuth pattern steering angle span. The azimuth ambiguity performance is identified to be the driving performance parameter. Experimental TSX staring spotlight high-resolution images are presented. They demonstrate and verify the envisaged performance estimation. The paper concludes with a concept for a high-resolution TSX staring spotlight mode that serves as baseline for the upcoming operational implementation.

TerraSAR-X System Performance Characterization and Verification

This paper presents results from the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system performance characterization, optimization, and verification as carried out during the TerraSAR-X commissioning phase. Starting from the acquisition geometry and instrument performance, fundamental acquisition parameters such as elevation beam definition, range timing, receiving gain, and block adaptive quantization setting are presented. The verification of the key performance parameters-ambiguities, impulse-response function, noise, and radiometric resolution-is discussed. ScanSAR and Spotlight particularities are described.