SAR image quantization strategies for improved human/machine interpretability

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images can have broad dynamic range depending on the responses of the content of the observed scenes. This can vary from intense specular responses from manmade objects to low/no-return areas due to shadowing or forward scatter off electromagnetically smooth surfaces. To display SAR images for human consumption or to input them modern recognition algorithms, one must usually adopt a finite precision display. This is typically no more than 8 bits of quantization, but in some instances, utilization of fewer bits may present operational advantages. This paper explores three distinct techniques for SAR image quantization and provides examples with measured imagery.