SAR Processors Based on Signal or Interference Subspace Detector

In this paper, we present a new synthetic aperture radar (SAR) processor relying on subspace detectors. The scattering pattern of the constituent element of the man-made target (MMT) to detect is used to improve the detection capabilities. In the particular case of foliage penetration (FOPEN), we propose to reduce the probability of false alarms by considering the scattering pattern of almost vertical trunks (modeled here as dielectric cylinders). New subspace detectors are derived to look for either an interference or a target element in a noisy environment. A new processor based on these subspace detectors is successively applied to simulated data. In addition, results obtained with real data reveal a significant improvement in the detection capabilities both in comparison with a classical SAR processor and with the subspace signal detector SAR (SSDSAR) processor (without interference model).