A SAR imaging simulator of a low-flying target above ocean surface with multipath effect

Most of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image simulations are focused on the target in the free space and ignores the influence of environment scattering and the scattering from the multipath interactions between the target and background environment. In fact, the interaction for low flying target is strong and can produce undesired multipath signals which can severely affect radar target characteristics. This paper has developed an a facet scattering model based on the real electromagnetic scattering mechanisms in description of the multipath coupling mechanisms of low flying target above ocean surface. Finally, the SAR image simulations are made based on this model, which show apparent influence of sea surface scattering and the multipath scattering effect. It can help better understanding and evaluating the multipath effect in the radar detection of a low flying target in the real maritime environment.