Ship detection performance predictions for next generation spaceborne synthetic aperture radars

Abstract

Following success in other areas as a remote sensor, the spaceborne microwave image radars are assuming a notable position in the problem of ship detection for civilian and military purposes. This work will discuss the strong and weak points of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) when used for ship detection. First, the thesis gives a brief description of SAR fundamentals, image processing and the parameters for ship detection. Second, the actual techniques, limitations, errors and some models used for ship detection are described. Finally, using a well-known and reliable ship detection model (Vachon et al. 1997), tested in the Canadian Ocean Monitoring Workstation and in some validation field programs, the new generation of spaceborne SARs, mainly RADARSAT 2, are analyzed for ship detection capabilities. During the analysis parameters like wind velocity, wind direction related to the antenna, satellite incident angle and Number of Looks are changed to study their influence on ship detection.