A 3D model to characterize high-frequency scattering: Applied to synthesize SAR data

In this paper, we propose a 3D propagation model to characterize the scattering far-field by a scenario at high-frequency bands. The proposed scenario is composed of a 1-in-1 corner reflector bestowed between two metallic plates representing walls. Two identical broadband radars are used as transmitter and receiver in bistatic mode. This model is based on a Ray-Tracing (RT) technique combined with the asymptotic method Uniform Theory of Diffraction (UTD). It is practical not only in explicating the propagation mechanisms through the observed area, but also in determining the amplitude and the phase of any point in the scattered far-zone above the ground. In order to validate the model, we have conducted some comparisons with the 33-37GHz indoor measurements in the anechoic chamber. These comparisons have shown that the model can predict precisely the target location. Thus we apply it to synthesize data for evaluating SAR imaging algorithms.