Imaging through random multiple scattering media using integration of propagation and array signal processing

Abstract

Imaging of objects through complex environment is important in several applications, including imaging of hidden objects in obscuring media such as atmospheric and ocean turbulence, rough ocean surfaces, rain, fog, snow, and biological tissues. These media are often randomly varying in space and time, and statistical treatments are necessary to obtain images with useful spatial and temporal resolutions. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in using signal processing and correlation techniques to improve resolutions and to distinguish images from clutter. This paper presents several imaging techniques for objects in the presence of random media. Time-reversal MUSIC (multiple signal classification) imaging has excellent resolution when multiple scattering is small or moderate. Modified beamformer imaging has moderately high resolution even at large multiple scattering. We also include time reversal (TR) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging for comparison. The technique involves stochastic Green's function and mutual coherence function (MCF), eigenvectors of time-reversal matrix and pseudo spectrum. Numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of these imaging techniques.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Office of Naval Research (N00014-07-1-0428) and the National Science Foundation (ECS0601394 and ECCS0925034).