An Improved NLCS Algorithm Based on Series Reversion and Elliptical Model Using Geosynchronous Spaceborne–Airborne UHF UWB Bistatic SAR for Oceanic Scene Imaging

Abstract

Geosynchronous spaceborne–airborne (GEO-SA) ultra-high-frequency ultra-wideband bistatic synthetic aperture radar (UHF UWB BiSAR) provides high-precision images for marine and polar environments, which are pivotal in glacier monitoring and sea ice thickness measurement for polar ocean mapping and navigation. Contrasting with traditional high-frequency BiSAR, it faces unique challenges, such as the considerable spatial variability, significant range–azimuth coupling, and vast volumes of echo data, which impede high-resolution image reconstruction. This paper presents an improved bistatic nonlinear chirp scaling (NLCS) algorithm for imaging oceanic scenes with GEO-SA UHF UWB BiSAR. This methodology extends the two-dimensional (2-D) spectrum up to the sixth order via the method of series reversion (MSR) to meet accuracy demands and then employs an elliptical model to elucidate the alterations in the azimuth frequency modulation (FM) rate mismatch. Initially, the imaging geometry and signal model are introduced, and then a separation of bistatic slant ranges based on the configuration is proposed. In addition, during range processing, after eliminating linear range cell migration (RCM), the derivation process for the sixth-order 2-D spectrum is detailed and an improved filter is applied to correct the high-order RCM. Finally, during azimuth processing, the causes of the FM rate mismatch are analyzed, a cubic perturbation function derived from the elliptical model is used for FM rate equalization, and a unified sixth-order filter is applied to complete the azimuth compression. Experimental results with point targets and natural oceanic scenes validate the outstanding efficacy of the proposed NLCS algorithm, particularly in imaging quality enhancements for GEO-SA UHF UWB BiSAR.