Modified real-time sub-aperture processing algorithm for airborne high-resolution SAR

The problem of real-time imaging in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system is addressed here. Sub-aperture processing algorithm is usually used in the engineering applications. However, high azimuth sidelobes and edge aliasing problem usually occur in conventional sub-aperture algorithm, which degenerates the quality of the SAR image. To solve this problem, the reason for high azimuth sidelobes and edge aliasing problem is analysed, and a modified sub-aperture processing algorithm is proposed. The proposed algorithm minimises the effect of the phase discontinuity to improve the SAR image quality. Therefore, the azimuth sidelobes can be improved, and the edge aliasing phenomenon will be eliminated. Real measured airborne SAR datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.