A Fast Algorithm for Radar Image Formation and Analysis Based on Shooting and Bouncing Rays

In this paper, a fast simulation algorithm is presented for creating radar images based on shooting and bouncing rays. In this method, three-dimensional models of man-made objects are illuminated by a virtual SAR sensor whose signal is approximated by rays sent through the model space. Rays can be followed for multiple reflections within the object scene. SBR is adapted to calculate the contribution of each ray. By summing the contribution of each ray on the radar image plane, a radar image is obtained. And by clustering rays owning the different paths, the echoes from different components is separated. By this way, we can establish relationship between target components and the strong scattering source, thus it can provide an effective approach to analyze the complex SAR images and target characteristics. The developed method was implemented to calculate the radar image of the Slicy model, and the result is compared with the measured solutions. The results show that the simulation can provide very valuable information to interpret complex SAR images or to predict the strong scattering source.