Polarimetric matched filtering for distributed scatterers

The theory for polarimetric matched filter processing has been primarily developed for point scatterers. However, complex scatterers of interest (either man-made or natural) are distributed scatterers consisting of multiple scattering centers. Many modem polarimetric radar systems have the resolution performance to resolve the multiple scattering centers that together comprise an individual distributed scatterer return. The individual scattering centers of a distributed scatterer can often exhibit different polarimetric characteristics, and consequently do not reliably respond to polarimetric matched filter processing techniques that have been derived for individual point scatterers. This paper presents a matched filter processing technique that treats distributed scatterers explicitly. The technique is applicable to any high resolution polarimetric radar, but improved polarimetric processing for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery is the motivation for its development. The technique is described and demonstrated using simulated SAR data for the simple case of a distributed scatterer consisting of linear orthogonal co-pol (HH and W) scattering centers