An ASIC implementation of range cell migration compensation algorithm for synthetic aperture radar signal processing

Nonlinear range curvature effect and linear range walk effect appearing in collected SAR data array cause SAR image quality to be distorted. Therefore, two kinds of range cell migration (RCM) compensation processing are required in addition to the two dimensional pulse compression processes. In this paper, special purpose hardware which compensates for these linear and nonlinear cell migration effects are implemented in architecture level and logic level by using the compensation algorithm used in digital SAR processing. Pre-layout simulations using CAD tools are also carried out to verify the normal operation of the designed hardware. SAR parameters used during compensation processing are the parameters for spaceborne SEASAT SAR launched in 1978. Data block to be processed is composed of 4096 pulses×4096 samples