A challenge problem for detection of targets in foliage

Abstract

This paper describes a challenge problem whose scope is detection of stationary vehicles in foliage using VHF-band SAR data. The data for this challenge problem consists of images collected by the Swedish CARABAS-II system which produces SAR images at the low VHF-band (20-90 MHz). At these frequencies the electromagnetic energy from the radar penetrates the foliage of the forest, providing a return from a target concealed in a forest. Thus, VHF-band SAR technology transforms the foliage penetration problem into a traditional detection problem where the goal is to reduce the false alarm rate (FAR). Reducing the FAR requires suppressing the clutter in a VHF-band SAR image which is dominated by larger tree trunks, buildings and other man-made objects. The purpose of releasing the CARABAS-II data set is to provide the community with VHF-band SAR data that supports development of new algorithms for robust target detection with a low false alarm rate. The set of images supports single-pass, two-pass and multi-pass target detection.