Fast Factorized Backprojection Imaging Algorithm Integrated With Motion Trajectory Estimation for Bistatic Forward-Looking SAR

A bistatic forward-looking synthetic aperture radar (BFSAR) is increasingly in the focus of study, as it breaks through the limitations of imaging on a forward-looking terrain of a moving platform. Fast factorized backprojection (FFBP) is a reliable BFSAR imaging algorithm, with both imaging precision and efficiency being taken into consideration. In FFBP imaging, compensation of the motion errors is important to obtain a well-focused image. To accomplish an accurate motion compensation in image processing, a high-precision navigation system is needed. However, in many cases, because of the accuracy limit of such systems, motion errors are difficult to be compensated correctly, resulting chiefly in resolution decrease in the final images. To deal with such a problem, we propose an FFBP imaging algorithm integrated with motion trajectory estimation for BFSAR. First, a coarse-to-fine residual range cell migration (RCM) correction scheme is applied to ensure the residual RCM within a range resolution. Then, an optimization model with respect to motion trajectory estimation under the criterion of maximum image sharpness is built during FFBP imaging. According to the coarse-to-fine residual RCM correction scheme and the motion trajectory estimation model, a block coordinate descent technique based on steepest descent optimization method integrated with residual RCM correction is proposed to estimate the motion errors in FFBP imaging. We empirically compare the proposed method with several state-of-the-art BFSAR imaging and autofocus algorithms. Simulations on BFSAR data show that the proposed method is more accurate and has similar computational cost.