Decomposition of the radar target scattering matrix with application to high resolution target imaging

The basic theory of polarimetric radar and various decomposition theories are briefly reviewed. A novel decomposition of the scattering matrix is then presented with special reference to high-resolution imaging. By decomposing the scattering matrix into three different components, it is possible to resolve different types of scatterers even if they are within the same resolution cell of the image. This allows for a better resolution of the target scattering properties as well as a better characterization of the type of scattering for the individual contributions. The usefulness of this decomposition and the advantage in general of utilizing full polarimetric data in connection with radar target imaging are demonstrated by applying the decomposition to simulated images of a complex target model composed of a number of individual scatterers. The extra information contained in the full polarimetric data as compared with single polarization data should greatly improve the possibility of noncooperative target recognition by radar.<>