1. A model for generating synthetic VHF SAR forest clutter images
- Author
-
Jackson, Julie Ann and Moses, Randolph L.
- Subjects
Image processing -- Technology application ,Synthetic aperture radar -- Design and construction ,Synthetic aperture radar -- Models ,Forests and forestry -- Observations ,Parameter estimation -- Methods ,Technology application ,Aerospace and defense industries ,Business ,Computers ,Electronics ,Electronics and electrical industries - Abstract
We propose a model for generating low-frequency synthetic aperture radar (SAR) clutter that relates model parameters to physical characteristics of the scene. The model includes both distributed scattering and large-amplitude discrete clutter responses. The model also incorporates the SAR imaging process, which introduces correlation among image pixels. The model may be used to generate synthetic clutter for a range of environmental operating conditions for use in target detection performance evaluation of the radar and automatic target detection/recognition algorithms. We derive a statistical representation of the proposed clutter model's pixel amplitudes and compare with measured data from the CARABAS-II SAR. Simulated clutter images capture the structure and amplitude responses seen in the measured data. A statistical analysis shows an order of magnitude improvement in model fit error compared with standard maximum-likelihood (ML) density fitting methods.
- Published
- 2009