Extended Two-Step Focusing Approach for Squinted Spotlight SAR Imaging

An extended two-step focusing approach (ETSFA) for processing the squinted spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data is proposed in this paper. The effect of the squint angle on the azimuth coarse focusing is analyzed and discussed. Based on the analysis results, a nonlinear shift preprocessing method is introduced, which can completely remove the squint angle impacts on the azimuth coarse focusing. Furthermore, based on the squinted spotlight SAR imaging model and the preprocessed echo data, derivations of the azimuth coarse focusing with the deramping-based technique and precise focusing with the modified Stolt-based technique are carried out in detail. Moreover, to produce an acceptable image by the proposed ETSFA for high-resolution (
$<$
3 m) squinted spotlight SAR with large scene, a subscene processing method is introduced. The experimental results on simulated data prove the validity of the whole analysis and the proposed methods.