A Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging Simulation Method for Sea Surface Scenes Combined with Electromagnetic Scattering Characteristics

Abstract

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) simulation is a vital tool for planning SAR missions, interpreting SAR images, and extracting valuable information. SAR imaging is essential for analyzing sea scenes, and the accuracy of sea surface and scattering models is crucial for effective SAR simulations. Traditional methods typically employ empirical formulas to fit sea surface scattering, which are not closely aligned with the principles of electromagnetic scattering. This paper introduces a novel approach by constructing multiple sea surface models based on the Pierson–Moskowitz (P-M) sea spectrum, integrated with the stereo wave observation projection (SWOP) expansion function to thoroughly account for the influence of wave fluctuation characteristics on radar scattering. Utilizing the shooting and bouncing ray-physical optics (SBR-PO) method, which adheres to the principles of electromagnetic scattering, this study not only analyzes sea surface scattering characteristics under various sea conditions but also facilitates the computation of scattering coupling between multiple targets. By constructing detailed scattering distribution data, the method achieves high-precision SAR simulation results. The scattering model developed using the SBR-PO method provides a more nuanced description of sea surface scenes compared to traditional methods, achieving an optimal balance between efficiency and accuracy, thus significantly enhancing sea surface SAR imaging simulations.