Ship detection by SAR interferometry

Abstract

In order to extend the capabilities of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery to the detection of small ships on an agitated sea surface, even with low incidence angles, a new method based on SAR interferometry and coherence techniques has been developed. The use of phase instead of intensity allows even small ships, with low backscattering, coefficients to be detected, since the returned signal from a ship should have higher phase coherence than the surrounding sea.