Image processor and image processing method for synthetic aperture radar

• US 8,179,301 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Matsuo, Shingo, Nohmi, Hitoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): GREGORY, BERNARR E
• Application Number:
  US11/785,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20070268305A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,853 Days
• Field of Search: 342 25 R- 25 F, 342/175, 342/176, 342/179, 342192-197, 342/21, 342/22, 342 82-103, 342159-164
• US Class Current: 342/25.D
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/9004 SAR image acquisition techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/50 using two or more images, e.g. averaging or subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0414 Vertical resolution change
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0421 Horizontal resolution change

Abstract

An image processor and an image processing method for a synthetic aperture radar searching for a target are provided. A high resolution processing unit performs high resolution processing up to an area equivalent to a small target or smaller to thereby acquire information held by the small target. Next, a maximum value filter processing unit develops the information of the small target acquired through the high resolution processing in one pixel of low resolution processing with a maximum value. Then, a display unit displays the minimum area of the low resolution processing as one pixel on a screen. Since the information originally held by the small target can be displayed without damaging it as described above, it is easily distinguishable from the background information, enabling to improve the detection capability as a radar.

Claims

1. An image processor of a synthetic aperture radar, comprising:

a high resolution processing unit which performs high resolution processing at a pixel area corresponding to or less than an area of a target to thereby acquire information held by the target;

a maximum value, filter processing unit which develops information of the target obtained through the high resolution processing with a maximum value in one pixel of low resolution processing; and

a display unit which displays a minimum area of the low resolution processing as one pixel on a screen.

2. The image processor of a synthetic aperture radar, according to claim 1,

wherein the high resolution processing unit has a function of performing azimuth compression processing so as to make an azimuth direction to have high resolution.

3. The image processor of a synthetic aperture radar, according to claim 1,

wherein the maximum value filter processing unit has a function of applying a maximum value of background information to an area where the target is not present.

4. An image processing method for a synthetic aperture radar to perform:

high resolution processing in which high resolution processing is performed at a pixel area corresponding to or less than an area of a target to thereby acquire information held by the target;

maximum value filter processing to develop information of the target acquired through the high resolution processing with a maximum value in one pixel of low resolution processing; and

display processing to display a minimum area of the low resolution processing as one pixel on a screen.

5. The image processing method for a synthetic aperture radar, according to claim 4,

wherein in the high resolution processing, azimuth compression processing is performed so as to make an azimuth direction to have high resolution.

6. The image processing method for a synthetic aperture radar, according to claim 4,

wherein in the maximum value filter processing, a maximum value of background information is applied to an area where the target is not present.