Quick method of distributed small satellite synthetic aperture radar single-look complex image simulation

The basic requirements for echo simulation of DSS-SAR (distributed small satellite synthetic aperture radar) were concluded. The geometry model and signal model of DSS-SAR were presented. Hill equation was employed to illustrate the configuration of small satellites. Single-look complex image signal model, correlation of DSS-SAR echoes and interferometric phase probability density function were given to show the signal characteristics of DSS-SAR. A quick method was proposed to simulate single-look complex images of DSS-SAR. The method calculated positions of small satellites with the position of the central point and the small satellite configuration. It can simulate the single-look complex image signal of the arbitrary formation small satellite cluster conveniently. The flat and conical terrains were chosen, and the simulated single-look SAR (synthetic aperture radar) complex images were obtained with the proposed method. Computer simulation results show the simulation method not only satisfies the DSS-SAR signal simulation needs, but adds many kinds of error conveniently and simulates signal realistically.