Time domain numerical simulation of microwave backscattering for ocean SAR image

Abstract

This paper describes a simulation of SAR raw signals in time-domain. We had developed a time domain simulation technique to calculate microwave backscattering from the moving sea surface with a fixed radar. It has been improved with considering movements of a radar which is assumed as a SAR. In the simulation, physical optics approximation is applied to calculate backscattered microwaves. SAR raw signals from a target have been simulated as a part of SAR image simulation. Furthermore, in order to simulate SAR images of the moving sea surface, azimuth shifts from a moving target have discussed. These results show that the simulation can generate ocean SAR images in time-domain for sea surface observations.