Optimization of Search Step Size for Three-Channel MEO SAR Adaptive Clutter Suppression

The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) adaptive clutter suppression method based on the post-Doppler space-time adaptive processing technique is distinguished by its excellent performance in improving the signal-to-clutter-noise ratio (SCNR) of a moving target. However, since the target's steering vector depends on its unknown motion parameters, it is necessary to search parameters in clutter suppression. When the search step size is small, good performance can be obtained, but the computation load would be large. In this paper, the optimization of search step size for three-channel medium-earth-orbit (MEO) SAR adaptive clutter suppression is studied. First, the target's steering vector is developed. Then, an optimization method of the parameter search step size for adaptive clutter suppression is proposed, with the allowable SCNR loss being 3 dB. Finally, experimental results validate the proposed method.