On the ship detection performance with compact polarimetry

This paper examines the performance of compact polarimetry (CP) for ship detection. An improved polarimetric information reconstruction algorithm is proposed based on a modified four-component model-based decomposition. The helix scattering component is considered in the reconstruction procedure to deal with the case when reflection symmetry condition does not hold. Then various ship detection algorithms are used to examine the performance of compact polarimetry with polarimetric SAR data. The Multi-look Polarimetric Whitening Filter (MPWF) is also investigated, and a modified MPWF form is proposed. The experimental results demonstrate compact polarimetry has a good potential for ship detection.