Holographic SAR image formation by coherent summation of impulseresponse derivatives

Using the physical optics approximation, the radar image of a target can be constructed from a knowledge of the monostatic backscattered field or hologram for all frequencies and all aspects angles. The target image is the two-dimensional Fourier transform of the hologram. This is based on the same principle as conventional holography. In the near-field the image is computed by the coherent summation of back-projected range responses which are derived from complex impulse responses. Consequently, the image can be interpreted as a tomographic reconstruction. If the target is within the antenna beam at each radar position in the linear synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) geometry, then the algorithm for the coherent summation of impulse response derivatives (IRDs) can be applied. Experimental results for the near-field of a wheat field and a Peugeot 504 automobile are presented to verify the effectiveness of the method