Advances in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Imaging and Time-Varying Scattering Target Interaction: Innovation, Theory, and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), as the core remote sensing technology for Earth observation, has superior imaging capabilities based on the fundamental assumption of "static observation scene". However, a new category of targets with time-varying scattering characteristics—such as time-varying metasurface and mechanically adjustable targets—is challenging this theoretical foundation. These targets exert a dual impact on SAR remote sensing. On one hand, this phenomenon severely disrupts traditional SAR imaging mechanisms, leading to image distortions including defocusing, ghosting, and even target annihilation. These issues directly degrade the geometric and radiometric accuracy of SAR image targets, posing significant challenges to subsequent target feature extraction and interpretation. On the other hand, it has also given rise to unprecedented remote sensing applications. The active manipulation of the scattering characteristics of targets provides the possibility for realizing new remote sensing concepts, such as dynamic camouflage, target calibration, and physical layer information embedding.

This Special Issue aims to deeply explore the impact and insights of time-varying scattering targets characteristics on SAR imaging from the perspective of remote sensing and information extraction. We not only focus on the negative effects of such targets on image quality and corresponding mitigation strategies, but also commit to exploring how to leverage this phenomenon to develop new capabilities in remote sensing perception.

This Special Issue aims to systematically explore the fundamental transformations brought by targets with time-varying scattering characteristics to the field of SAR remote sensing. We are committed to the following objectives:

Reveal the mechanism by which time-varying scattering affects the information capacity, calibration accuracy, and target interpretation capability of SAR images.

Develop innovative SAR imaging theories and signal processing technologies that can perceive, model, and reconstruct dynamically scattering scenes.

Explore the remote sensing applications of time-varying targets in directions such as new-type calibration, performance verification, and intelligent environment construction of SAR systems.

This theme is highly aligned with the positioning of the Remote Sensing journal, as it directly addresses the paradigm shift in remote sensing frontier from "static observation" to "dynamic interaction". Relevant research will deepen our understanding of the interaction mechanism between radar and the environment, which not only relates to the reliability and credibility of remote sensing data but also promotes the development of active and cognitive remote sensing technologies. This holds profound significance for ensuring the accuracy of remote sensing information and expanding its application boundaries.

In this Special Issue, original research papers and review articles on the following topics are welcome. The research fields may include (but are not limited to) the following:

(1) SAR/PolSAR/ISAR Image Processing;

(2) Time-Varying Target Feature Analysis for SAR Images;

(3) SAR Target Detection and Recognition;

(4) Advanced SAR/PolSAR/ISAR passive countermeasure technology;

(5) SAR Image Adversarial Sample Generation;

(6) Intelligent SAR Image Countermeasure and Evaluation;

(7) SAR/PolSAR/ISAR Image Feature Transformation;

(8) Remote Sensing Assisted by Metasurfaces.

Prof. Dr. Dejun Feng
Dr. Junjie Wang
Dr. Guang Sun
Dr. Guodong Jin
Guest Editors

Dr. Shaoqiu Song
Guest Editor Assistant

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