Mitigation of Radio Frequency Interference in Synthetic Aperture Radar Data: Current Status and Future Trends

TLDR

Radio frequency interference severely hampers synthetic aperture radar data acquisition, image formation, and interpretation. The paper surveys RFI mitigation methods relevant to SAR systems. It examines spectrum allocation, identifies terrestrial and spaceborne RFI sources and geometry, presents signal models with real data examples, reviews advanced processing techniques, and evaluates their pros and cons while outlining future cognitive, integrated, and adaptive trends. The review provides a reference for selecting and implementing the most appropriate RFI mitigation strategy for airborne or spaceborne SAR.

Abstract

Radio frequency interference (RFI) is a major issue in accurate remote sensing by a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system, which poses a great hindrance to raw data collection, image formation, and subsequent interpretation process. This paper provides a comprehensive study of the RFI mitigation techniques applicable for an SAR system. From the view of spectrum allocation, possible terrestrial and spaceborne RFI sources to SAR system and their geometry are analyzed. Typical signal models for various RFI types are provided, together with many illustrative examples from real measured data. Then, advanced signal processing techniques for removing RFI are reviewed. Advantages and drawbacks of each approach are discussed in terms of their applicability. Discussion on the future trends are provided from the perspective of cognitive, integrated, and adaptive. This review serves as a reference for future work on the implementation of the most suitable RFI mitigation scheme for an air-borne or space-borne SAR system.