New applications of parameter-adjusting polar format algorithm in spotlight forward-looking bistatic SAR processing

Spotlight forward-looking bistatic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is an efficient tool in precise surveillance and attacking mission. Polar format algorithm (PFA) is usually used to accomplish spotlight SAR image formation, by means of low-efficiency interpolation processing to realize data correction. To accelerate the computing speed, this study presents a parameter-adjusting PFA, which avoids the range interpolation required by the traditional PFA. This strategy will lead to two advantages: 1. The simplified imaging steps will contribute to a higher computation speed. 2. The error introduced by the truncated range interpolation can be decreased. As a result, in terms of efficiency and accuracy, the system performance can be optimized. Derivation of this parameter-adjusting PFA was given in detail. A followed multi-targets computer simulation validated the suggested approach.