SAR Simultaneous Localization and Imaging Method Based on Closed-Loop Structure Along Arc-Line Motion

In order to adapt to various detection environments on the ground, airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) as a remote sensing platform usually arcs along nonlinear trajectories, and the large accumulation angle in the circling process also improves the imaging effect. However, the arc motion demands rigorous control of the flying platform and precise measurement of the motion. In some cases, there is a significant discrepancy between the track recorded by the flight platform and the actual track, which not only affects the imaging effect but also interferes with the positioning and navigation of the platform. This article presents a new method of arc-line SAR positioning and imaging based on a closed-loop structure. The echo history extracted from a 1-D range profile is corrected using an echo-history correction factor (EHCF), which reduces the self-positioning error of the platform caused by the motion measurement device. This allows for accurate positioning of the flying platform and the acquisition of imaging results with superior focusing performance. The effectiveness and stability of the proposed method are proven by simulation and experimental results.