SAR Image Simulation for Crater Terrain Using Formation Theory-Based Modeling and Hybrid Ray-Tracing

Simulating synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of crater terrain is a crucial technique for expanding SAR sample databases and facilitating the development of quantitative information extraction models for craters. However, existing simulation methods often overlook crucial factors, including the explosive depth effect in crater morphology modeling and the double-bounce scattering effect in electromagnetic scattering calculations. To overcome these limitations, this article introduces a novel approach to simulating SAR images of crater terrain. The approach incorporates crater formation theory to describe the relationship between various explosion parameters and craters. Moreover, it employs a hybrid ray-tracing approach that considers both surface and double-bounce scattering effects. Initially, crater morphology models are established for surface, shallow burial, and deep burial explosions. This involves incorporating the explosive depth parameter into crater morphology modeling through crater formation theory and quantitatively assessing soil movement influenced by the explosion. Subsequently, the ray-tracing algorithm and the advanced integral equation model are combined to accurately calculate electromagnetic scattering characteristics. Finally, simulated SAR images of the crater terrain are generated using the SAR echo fast time-frequency domain simulation algorithm and the chirp scaling imaging algorithm. The results obtained by simulating SAR images under different explosion parameters offer valuable insights into the effects of various explosion parameters on crater morphology. This research could contribute to the creation of comprehensive crater terrain datasets and support the application of SAR technology for damage assessment purposes.