Polarimetric scattering calculation based on Maxwells equations for very high resolution SAR

Abstract

A method for raw signal generation for extended SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) scenes with very high resolution is described. Such a simulator shall handle resolution better than 30 cm, squinted geometry, elliptical orbit motion and use a polarimetric reflectivity matrix. Classical polarimetric scattering theory is based on electromagnetic harmonic fields using Maxwell’s equations, Green’s function, Huygens’ principle and Kirchhoff’s approximation. Here, the scattering theory is modified for a chirp field. Calculated expressions for the scattered chirp field or the reflectivity matrix in the single scattering case are presented. Such a reflectivity matrix can then be input to the Inverse-EETF4 (Extended Exact Transfer Function 4th order) for raw data generation.