A technique for the identification and localization of SAR targets using encoding transponders

Targets in SAR images can be tagged for unambiguous identification and localization by equipping them with transponders that encode the signal received from the SAR before it is retransmitted. The encoding technique described below requires no modification of the SAR. The SAR data can be processed to image the transponders with the background suppressed. The transponder response is suppressed in a conventionally processed SAR image. The encoding technique enables the transponder signal to be automatically detected in the SAR data.