A 3-D Novel Fast Back-Projection Imaging Algorithm for Stratified Media Based on Near-Field Monostatic and Bistatic SAR

A fast back-projection (FBP) imaging algorithm is proposed to generate 3-D uniformly balanced images of an object embedded in a layered structure based on a combined near-field monostatic and bistatic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system. The spectral layered Green's function is used in the FBP algorithm. Like conventional real-time imaging algorithms, the complexity of the imaging function is reduced via the stationary phase method, and the fast Fourier transform is implemented to accelerate the computation. Unlike conventional real-time imaging algorithms, the singularity problem associated with Green's function and antenna pattern is solved in this proposed algorithm by using a point spread function (PSF). For a real-time imaging system, besides fast image generation, an efficient data acquisition is needed. A combined monostatic and bistatic SAR configuration is used here to decrease the data collection time. The performance of this proposed FBP method is demonstrated by measurements of a stratified environment.

Automated summary

A fast back-projection (FBP) imaging algorithm is proposed for generating 3-D uniformly balanced images of an object embedded in a layered structure, based on a combined near-field monostatic and bistatic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system. The algorithm utilizes spectral layered Green's function, reduces complexity via stationary phase method, and solves singularity problem with Green's function and antenna pattern using a point spread function (PSF). The efficiency of this proposed method is demonstrated through measurements of a stratified environment.