Reduced bandwidth algorithm for near field imaging of tree targets using synthetic aperture radar

An imaging algorithm which can generate high resolution near-field synthetic aperture radar images is presented. The algorithm requires only a small fractional bandwidth and is not computationally intensive. Images are produced in a format familiar to the human visual system and provide a more complete characterisation of the polarimetric scattering distribution of a target. A new derivation of the algorithm is presented and its characteristics and limitations are described and formulated. The focusing process is validated by simulations and practical measurements on test targets. Sidelobe reduction is carried out by application of the SVA filtering algorithm. Finally, the technique is applied to the imaging of a small larch tree and the images presented clearly demonstrate the dependency of the target response on the system polarisation