Sea Target Detection in Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar Images

Study on PolSAR target detection essentially requires the scattering information and polarimetric statistical data. Theoretical analysis shows that some terms of the second order scattering matrices such as coherence and covariance matrix clearly show the differences between nonsymmetrical man-made objects and natural clatters which being reflection symmetric. Using the model derived from these terms the automatic target detection and extraction with a constant false alarm rate established. In this model, various capacity of manmade and sea targets in symmetrical reflection studied and polarimetric SAR data acquired in L- and C-band have been used to test the proposed methodology showing to be an effective and efficient method to observe metallic targets at homogeneous and non homogeneous areas of sea, such as detection of ships, oil rigs, building and other structures.