IFSAR processing for 3D target reconstruction

In this paper we investigate the use of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IFSAR) processing for the 3D reconstruction of radar targets. A major source of reconstruction error is induced by multiple scattering responses in a resolution cell, giving rise to height errors. We present a model for multiple scattering centers and analyze the errors that result using traditional IFSAR height estimation. We present a simple geometric model that characterizes the height error and suggests tests for detecting or reducing this error. We consider the use of image magnitude difference as a test statistic to detect multiple scattering responses in a resolution cell, and we analyze the resulting height error reduction and hypothesis test performance using this statistic. Finally, we consider phase linearity test statistics when three or more IFSAR images are available. Examples using synthetic Chi patch backhoe imagery are presented.