Real-time SAR simulation using GPUs
Using the more and more powerful and flexible graphics processing
units (GPU), it is possible to visualize SAR effects in real time. For
training and education real time visualization is crucial. With
faster visualizations, different sensor properties or scenarios
can be visualized interactively. The students can not just see the
result, they can experience SAR.
Radar images differ in many ways from images acquired by passive
sensor systems. The imaging geometry of a SAR system is different in
azimuth and range directions. In range direction the placement of
objects depends on the distance between objects and sensor. In azimuth,
the geometry is based on the Doppler Effect. Different approaches to
computer graphics used in a variety of computer games are adapted to
realize visualization of SAR data in real time. These approaches,
however, must be modified in order to use them for SAR geometry and
radiometry. By further modifying these approaches, complex scenes, bi-static
missions, or effects of moving objects can be visualized.