Range Cell Migration of SAR Moving Target Based
on Envelope Correlation Method
Jianjun Gao, Xinbo Xu, Fulin Su
School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
jjgao@hit.edu.cn
Abstract—Synthetic aperture radar(SAR) imaging for ground
moving targets has important applications both in military and
civil areas. Range cell migration (RCM) occurs after range
compression and needs to be corrected before azimuth processing.
Due to the difficulty of range cell migration correction (RCMC)
in SAR, a corresponding correction method based on envelope
correlation method (ECM) is proposed. the phenomenon of RCM
is introduced for SAR imaging of stationary and moving targets
in strip-map mode, then, RCM results are deduced, next,
RCMC algorithm based on ECM are elaborated and illustrated,
Finally, simulation results are given and analyzed, which
validates feasibility and effectiveness of the ECM algorithm, the
ECM only requires basic cross-correlation operation and has
equivalent precision.
Keywords—SAR; RCMC; moving target; envelope correlation
method
I. INTRODUCTION
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) has the ability of two-
dimensional high resolution imaging and working in all-
weather condition and all time, which makes it one of the
important areas of current radar researches[1]. SAR acquires
high range resolution by transmitting large bandwidth
waveform and using matched filter techniques for range
compression, and during the imaging interval, the radar
platform is flying and the targets are on the ground, so range
between radar and the target changes and hence Doppler
frequency spread is introduced, which is the reason for
obtaining high cross range resolution by SAR imaging system
after coherent phase processing. However, due to relative
movement between radar and the target, especially for ground
moving targets, the same point target’s response after range
compression lies in different range bins, this phenomenon is
called range cell migration(RCM)[2], which leads to range and
azimuth signal components coupling, increases side-lobe
intensity and deteriorates imaging quality[3]. Hence, in SAR
imaging algorithms, it is necessary to correct RCM to move the
same target’s responses into the same range bins before
azimuth coherent processing. The procedure to correct this
migration is called range cell migration correction(RCMC)[4],
the quality of which directly influence the final imaging
products.
Traditional RCMC algorithms include the nearest
neighboring interpolation, Newton interpolation, the cut-off
Sinc function interpolation and polynomial curve fitting[5][6],
which require estimation of Doppler parameters such as
Doppler centroid and chirp rate in frequency domain
respectively. In order to simplify the procedure of RCMC, this
paper verifies that the envelope correlation method(ECM)[7],
which is usually used for inverse synthetic aperture radar(ISAR)
motion compensation, can be applied to correct the RCM in
SAR imaging of moving targets[8]. Compared with traditional
RCMC algorithms, the ECM only requires basic cross-
correlation operation and has equivalent precision.
This paper is organized as follows: in the second part, the
phenomenon of RCM is introduced for SAR imaging of
stationary and moving targets in strip-map mode and RCM
results are deduced; in the third part, RCMC algorithm based
on ECM are elaborated and the flow chart of this algorithm is
illustrated; next, simulation results are given and analyzed,
which validates effectiveness of the ECM algorithm; finally,
conclusion is drawn.
II. RANGE CELL MIGRATION OF SAR MOVING TARGET
A. Problem of Range Cell Migration in SAR Imaging
The main difference between moving and stationary target
imaging lies in cross range processing and range cell migration.
Due to RCM, echoes of the same target are distributed in
different range bins, which makes it necessary to correct RCM
to ensure that echoes of the same target locate in the same
range bins, only then can the cross range processing be
proceeded[9]. Compared with stationary target, uncertainty of
the moving parameters of moving target leads to more
difficulties. This section first analyzes RCM of the moving
target in the scene of strip-map SAR imaging and gives a brief
description of the traditional RCMC methods.
Suppose SAR transmits linear frequency modulated(LFM)
pulses, which is expressed as equation (1)
∞
t − nT
s0 (t ) = ∑ rect( ) ⋅ exp[ jπ K r (t − nT ) 2 + 2 jπ f ct ] (1)
n=−∞ T p
Where rect(⋅) means rectangle signal, T the pulse
repetition interval, Tp the pulse width of the transmitting signal,
Kr the chirp rate of the LFM signal, f c the carrier frequency,
and n denotes the nth pulse. Suppose range between radar and
the target is R (t ) , τ n = 2 R (t ) / c denotes the round trip delay
between radar and the target, then echoes from the target can X (vx − V ) + Yv y (V − vx ) 2 + v y2
be expressed as R (t ) ≈ R0 + t+ t2 (5)
R0 2 R0
∞
t − nT −τ n
s(t) = σ0 A(t )K[R(t )] ∑ rect( ) Substitute equation (5) into (3), echoes from the moving
n=−∞ Tp target then can be expressed as
(2) τ −2R(t)/ c 2R(t) 2 t
⋅exp[ jπ Kr (t − nT −τ n )2 s(t,τ) =σ ⋅ rect[ ]exp{jπKr[τ − ] }⋅ rect ( )
+2 jπ fc (t −τ n )] Tp c Ts
(6)
4 jπR0
exp( jπKa ⋅t +2 jπ ft −
2
)
where σ 0 is the backscattering coefficient, and A(t ) the λ
antenna pattern, K [ R (t )] the amplitude attenuation. where K a is the Doppler chirp rate and f the Doppler
Define time variable τ = t − nT , τ ≤ Tp / 2 . Generally, centroid, which are written as
2[(V − vx ) 2 + v y2 ] 2[v Y − (V − v x ) X ]
Tp T , so it can be approximated that τ + nT ≈ nT . Time Ka = − , f =− y (7)
λ R0 λ R0
variable t is generally far larger than τ , then it can be
supposed that SAR satisfies “stop-and-go” mode[1], i.e., the During the imaging interval, Denote Re as the nearest
platform is not moving during the signal transmitting and range between radar and the target and the instant is
receiving interval. For the convenience of theoretical analysis, t0 ,i.e. , Re = R (t0 ) . Then Taylor expansion of equation (5) to
t is called slow time variable and τ fast time variable. Then, the second order is
the one dimensional echo can be written in two-dimension 1
form. After frequency mixing, echo from a single point target R (t ) = Re + R′(t0 ) ⋅ (t − t0 ) + R′′(t0 ) ⋅ (t − t0 ) 2 (8)
2
can be written as where
τ − 2R(t ) / c
s(t ,τ ) = σ ⋅ rect[ ]exp{ jπ Kr [τ − 2R(t ) / c]2} X (vx − V ) + Yv y (V − vx ) 2 + v y2 λ λ
Tp R′(t0 ) = + t0 = − f − K a ⋅ t0
(3) R0 R0 2 2
t 4π (9)
⋅ rect ( )exp[− j R(t )] (V − vx ) + v y
2 2
λ
Ts λ R′′(t0 ) = = − Ka
R0 2
Where λ = c / f c is the wavelength and Ts is the imaging
and the RCM is defined as the range shift at time t with
integration time interval.
In strip-map SAR imaging mode of target with slow respect to instant t0 , that is
uniform motion, geometrical relationship between radar and 1
Rq = R (t ) − R (t0 ) = R′(t0 ) ⋅ (t − t0 ) + R′′(t0 ) ⋅ (t − t0 ) 2
the moving target is shown as Fig.1. The coordinate origin is 2
the ground location corresponding to the initial flight start time, (10)
axis x is the flight direction, V is the flight velocity, H the Equation (10) indicates that RCM of the target comprises
flight height, (0 , 0 , H ) the flight initial location, ( X , Y , 0) is of two parts, where the linear term is called range walk, and the
the initial location of the ground target with uniform motion. quadratic term range curvature
V
(Vt , 0, H )
B. RCM for Stationary and Moving Targets
(0, 0, H )
Let's first consider the case of stationary target. Range
between radar and the target is the shortest When the
R0 R (t )
connecting line between them is perpendicular to the flight path
[7], the instant is denoted as t0 = X / V . In the strip-map mode,
( X , Y ,0) the instant t0 can be found during the imaging interval ,i.e.
1
t0 ≤ Ts . Substitute t0 and vx =vy =0 into equation (9), then
( X + vx t , Y + v y t , 0) 2
Fig.1. Geometrical relationship between radar and the moving target R′(t0 ) = 0, R′′(t0 ) ≠ 0 , which indicates zero range walk and
vx and v y are initial azimuth velocity and ground range non-zero range curvature for the target, and the RCM is
velocity respectively. So, location of the radar platform at 1 V2 1
Rq = R′′(t0 ) ⋅ (t − t0 ) 2 = (t − t0 ) 2 . It satisfies t − t0 ≤ Ts
instant t is (Vt ,0, H ) ,range between radar and the target is 2 2 R0 2
R(t ) = ( X + vxt − Vt ) 2 + (Y + v yt )2 + H 2 (4) during the imaging interval, so in the strip-map mode, the
maximum of the RCM is
Denote R0 = X 2 + Y 2 + H 2 as the range between radar (VTs ) 2 λ 2 R0 λ 2 R0
and the target at initial state and using Fresnel approximation Rq |max = = = (11)
8 R0 8 D 2 32 ρ a 2
while neglecting cubic and higher orders of t , the range
Now let's consider the RCM for the moving target in the
history can be approximated as
strip-map mode. Because velocity of the moving target is far
less than that of the plane, i.e. vx , v y V , it can be parameters needs to be estimated in advance. So it is necessary
approximated that range between radar and the target is the to find a RCMC method without having to know the Doppler
shortest when the connecting line between them is parameters beforehand. In this paper, the envelope correlation
perpendicular to the flight path. The corresponding instant is method(ECM) is applied to RCMC in SAR imaging.
t0 = X / (V − vx ) . Substitute t0 into (9) , then III. RCMC BASED ON ENVELOPE CORRELATION METHOD
λ λ Y
R′(t0 ) = − f − K a ⋅ t0 | X ≈ vy The principle of ECM is to align two signals with the
2 2 t0 =
V − vx R0 (12) same waveform but different start time, i.e. there is time delay
λ between them, where the time delay is estimated by their
R′′(t0 ) = − Ka
2 correlation. Maximum of the correlation coefficient reaches
It can be seen that R′(t0 ) = 0, R′′(t0 ) ≠ 0 when ground when their waveforms are precisely aligned[9][10]. It is
supposed that there is no obvious variance between two
velocity v y of the target is zero, which is the same as the case of
neighboring one-dimension range profile, and strong
the stationary target. When ground velocity v y is not zero, correlation exists between them. ECM has been well applied in
R′(t0 ) ≠ 0, R′′(t0 ) ≠ 0 , both range walk and range curvature ISAR compensation. Now, let's verify the applicability of ECM
in SAR RCMC for moving target.
exist. So range walk of the moving target is mainly caused
As is known, after range compression, signal from the
by v y .substitute equation (12) into (10) and consider
moving target is a Sinc function with respect to fast time τ in
t − t0 ≤ Ts / 2 during the imaging interval, maximum of RCM range direction. So for different moments of slow time, the real
of the moving target in the strip-map mode is envelopes of the one-dimensional range profiles are all Sinc
Y T λ T function. As in SAR imaging, time lag between two
Rq |max = v y ⋅ (± s ) − K a ⋅ ( ± s ) 2 neighboring moments of slow time is very short, difference
R0 2 4 2
(13) between two neighboring range profiles is very small, which
λ 2 R0 λY v y makes it sufficient to apply ECM in SAR RCMC.
≈ + Suppose there are two neighboring signals after range
8D 2 2DV
As for the squint mode, the instant compression in the range direction, i.e., two neighboring range
t0 = X / V corresponding to the theoretical shortest range profiles. r = cτ / 2 is the distance corresponding to fast time τ ,
combined with the range compression results of equation (3),
doesn’t belong to the imaging interval, i.e. t0 > Ts / 2 . So we get
instant corresponding to the shortest range is at border of the e (r) = s (t ,τ ) = σ ⋅T ⋅ sinc{π ⋅ B⋅[ 2r − 2R(ti )]}
imaging interval, that is t0 = ±Ts / 2 . Substitute t0 = ±Ts / 2 into i r i p
c c
equation (12),we can get R′(t0 ) ≠ 0, R′′(t0 ) ≠ 0 , which means 
 4 jπR0 t
⋅ exp( jπKa ⋅ ti + 2 jπ fti − ) ⋅ rect( i )
2
that in squint SAR imaging mode, both range walk and range
curvature exist for moving and stationary target. Range walk  λ Ts
and range curvature can be summarized as Table I.  (14)
e (r) = s (t ,τ ) = σ ⋅T ⋅ sinc{π ⋅ B⋅[ 2r − 2R(ti+1)]}
TABLE I. THE RANGE MIGRATION IN DIFFERENT CONDITIONS  i+1 r i+1 p
c c
Move mode Strip-map mode Squint mode
 4 jπR0 t
 ⋅ exp( jπKa ⋅ ti+1 + 2 jπ fti+1 −
2
) ⋅ rect( i+1 )
Stationary
No RW, only RC Both RW and RC
 λ Ts
target
There are two differences between ei ( r ) and ei +1 ( r ) : one
Moving target is that the corresponding fast time differs when the Sinc
vy = 0
No RW, only RC Both RW and RC
functions reaches their peak, there is a range shift ∆ri ; the
Moving target other is that the phase corresponding to different slow time
Both RW and RC Both RW and RC
vy ≠ 0 varies. Let's denote the phase variance between the two is ∆ϕ i ,
which is independent of range variable r . Then
Traditional RCMC methods constitutes of two parts, ei +1 ( r ) = ei ( r − ∆ri )exp( j ⋅ ∆ϕi ) (15)
which are RW correction and RC correction. After range In fact, RCMC is to align the neighboring range profiles
compression, RW is corrected in time domain, and then RC is ei ( r ) and ei +1 ( r ) in fast time domain, i.e., to compensate the
corrected in Range-Doppler domain. For the RW correction range shift ∆ri . Cross-correlation function between two
part, the Doppler centroid f needs to be estimated and neighboring range profiles is
interpolation method is usually adopted for simplification, and R( s) = ∫ ei (r ) ⋅ ei +1 (r + s) dr = ∫ ei (r ) ⋅ ei (r + s − ∆ri ) dr (16)
for the RC correction part, the Doppler chirp rate needs to be
estimated and segmentation fitting is usually adopted for
simplification[8]. So, in traditional methods, the Doppler
 According to Schwarz inequality, R ( s ) reaches its
maximum at s = ∆ri . So, the estimated value ∆rˆi of ∆ri can be
obtained according to the location of R ( s ) maximum.
Because ∆rˆi is integral multiples of range bins, it is
necessary to do interpolation with respect to the cross-
correlation function in order to improve accuracy. And
quadratic curve fitting can also be applied to reduce the
estimated error. Quadratic curve fitting is done in the
neighboring area of the location of R ( s ) maximum,
R2 − R1
Xˆ = X max +
2(2 Rmax − R2 − R1 )
Where X max is the location of R( s) maximum， X̂ is the
fitted maximum location
Rmax = R( X max ) , R2 = R( X max + 1) , R1 = R( X max + 1) .
After the above simple interpolation and curve fitting,
well-improved result of range alignment can be obtained. The
flow chart of this ECM for SAR RCMC is shown in Fig.2
Fig.2. Flow chart of ECM
TABLE II. PARAMETER DESIGN OF THE RIGHT SIDE LOOKING SAR SYSTEM
Plane velocity V = 250m/s Bandwidth B = 150MHz
range direction. This also illustrates that during the imaging
interval, there is no RW but only range curvature for moving
target only with cross range velocity component. After careful
comparison, the curvature degrees of the RCM curves are not
identical, which is caused by different chirp rate of Doppler
frequency due to different velocity component.
The RCM for moving target with azimuth velocity
component ( vx = 10m/s ) and ground range velocity ( v y = 5m/s )
is shown in Fig. 5a). It can be seen that signal from this moving
target also curves but are different from the two cases
mentioned above in that the signal crosses more range bins and
(17) is not symmetrical about its center in cross range direction.
This illustrates that moving target with ground range velocity
not only has RC, but also RW. As known From equation (12),
the RW component for moving target relates to ground range
and
velocity v y , the larger v y is, the more obvious the RW is.
Fig. 3(b), Fig. 4(b) and Fig. 5(b) are the RCMC results by
ECM method.. It can be seen from these figures that signals
after correction show good linearity, i.e., to move signals
crossing many range bins to the same range bin, which shows
the correction effectiveness of this ECM algorithm. Through
these simulations, it can be validated that ECM can obtain
good RCMC results whether for stationary or moving
targets[10]. Compared with traditional methods which requires
both RW and RC correction procedures respectively, the ECM
algorithm shows great advantage.

Flight height H = 10000m Pulse width Tp = 5µs

Center range Rc =50990m Antenna D=2m

Carrier Cross range-
f c = 3GHz ρ a = D / 2 = 1m
frequency resolution

wavelength λ = C / fc = 0.1m Range ρ r = c / 2 B =1m

resolution
Ground a) The RMC
PRF PRF = 500Hz range- ρ y = 1.02m
resolution

IV. SIMULATION RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

This simulation is designed to analyze the RCM of
stationary and moving targets in strip-map mode and to verify
the RCMC effects based on ECM. Parameters of the system are
designed according to Table II.
The RCM for stationary target is shown in Fig. 3a). After
range compression, shape of the target signal is curved and
distributed in different range bins; meanwhile, shape of the b) The result after RCMC
target signal is symmetrically distributed about its center in
Fig.3 RCMC of stationary target
cross range direction, this illustrates that during the imaging
interval, linear component of the RCM curve is zero, i.e., there
is no RW but only range curvature for stationary target.
The RCM for moving target with azimuth velocity
component ( vx = 10m/s ) is shown in Fig. 4a). Like the
stationary target, signal from the moving target distributes in
different range bins and symmetrical about its center in cross

a) The range migration
b) The result after RCMC
Fig.4 RCMC of target only with azimuth velocity
a) The range migration
b) The result after range migration RCMC
Fig.5 RCMC of moving target with ground range velocity
CONCLUSION
In SAR imaging, RCMC methods of ECM and traditional
algorithms are compared and the ECM algorithm is verified by
theoretical proof and validated by corresponding simulations. It
can be concluded that the ECM algorithm can correct the range
cell migrations both for SAR moving and stationary targets.
Compared with traditional algorithms, the ECM is more
compact and can be carried out using fast Fourier
transform(FFT), which is more computationally efficient.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This research has been supported by key Space
Foundation (Grant No. JZ20150046).
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