Synthetic Aperture Radar: A Kelvin Wake Image Artifact

Robert O. Harger

doi:10.1117/12.960529

14 August 1989 Synthetic Aperture Radar: A Kelvin Wake Image Artifact

Robert O. Harger

Proceedings Volume 1101, Millimeter Wave and Synthetic Aperture Radar; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.960529
Event: SPIE 1989 Technical Symposium on Aerospace Sensing, 1989, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images of ship wakes have, under calm wind conditions, contained a "narrow vee" artifact of included angle small relative to that of the Kelvin wake envelope. Identified here is a physical source for some of these image artifacts- namely the divergent part of the Kelvin wake system. The SAR images a part of this wave subsystem via a Bragg scattering mechanism, resulting in a narrow vee artifact when the ship and SAR platform directions sufficiently agree. This artifact disappears when surface roughness is present, as with a local breeze, in conformance with observation. The predicted "down-axis" attenuation rate agrees with actual measurements from SAR imagery. A brief comparison of actual SAR images with a those of a simplified SAR simulation is discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Robert O. Harger "Synthetic Aperture Radar: A Kelvin Wake Image Artifact", Proc. SPIE 1101, Millimeter Wave and Synthetic Aperture Radar, (14 August 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.960529

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available