Exploitation of Geometric Diversity for High Resolution Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Imaging

Under this effort TSC will structure a circular-orbit UHF SAR backprojection algorithm to operate in real-time and provide fully polarimetric imagery that is orthorectified and geo-registered. The algorithm re-quirements will be determined for operation on a massively-parallel computer system (such as are currently used for GREP), a FPGA-based processor and/or a GPU-based processor. TSC will extend the backprojection algorithm structure to accommodate both coherent and noncoherent tomographic processing to achieve increased angular diversity when performing persistent SAR surveillance by using flight geometries such as concentric circles, vertically stacked circles, spiral and helical flight paths. TSC will demonstrate additional enhanced circular UHF SAR image synthesis techniques to include: 1) coherent, non-coherent and polarimetric change detection, 2) creating stereo images and DEMs (including the interiors of structures), and 3) polarimetric image segmentation. TSC will apply the above capabilities to a concept for through-the-roof imaging of structures and will assess the quality of interior mapping and target detection that can be achieved. BENEFIT: The TSC program will provide the Air Force with an advanced UHF SAR signal processing techniques that is complementary the microwave circular SAR capability being developed under the GREP program, and to other persistent surveillance systems such as the full motion video Angel Fire EO system. The technolo-gies that TSC will develop will support Air Force operations in forest, urban and open environments, and in particular can enhance the knowledge of the interiors of structures.