A General Framework for CFAR Detection in PolSAR Imagery Based on Quadratic Statistics

In the field of target detection in polarimetric synthetic aperture Radar (PolSAR) imagery, the constant false alarm rate (CFAR) algorithm is renowned for its operability and high interpretability. Given the challenges faced by deep learning methods in scenarios with limited labeled data and insuffi...

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Main Authors: Ziyuan Yang, Liguo Liu, Xiaoyang Hou, Yinghui Quan, Xian Zhang, Tao Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing
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Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10945402/
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author Ziyuan Yang
Liguo Liu
Xiaoyang Hou
Yinghui Quan
Xian Zhang
Tao Liu
author_facet Ziyuan Yang
Liguo Liu
Xiaoyang Hou
Yinghui Quan
Xian Zhang
Tao Liu
author_sort Ziyuan Yang
collection DOAJ
description In the field of target detection in polarimetric synthetic aperture Radar (PolSAR) imagery, the constant false alarm rate (CFAR) algorithm is renowned for its operability and high interpretability. Given the challenges faced by deep learning methods in scenarios with limited labeled data and insufficient prior information, CFAR detection techniques remain vital in resource-constrained environments requiring rapid response. However, in the context of CFAR detection in PolSAR imagery, traditional intensity-based statistical modeling approaches, such as gamma distribution, generalized gamma distribution, and log-normal distribution, become inadequate when handling feature maps generated by nonpositive definite transformation matrices. In addition, some nonparametric methods suffer from a lack of robust statistical theoretical support, resulting in insufficient robustness. To effectively address this core issue, this study proposes a general framework for CFAR based on quadratic statistics, employing both the numerical solution of the Gil-Pelaez inversion formula and Monte Carlo reinforcement as strategies to determine detection thresholds. Experimental results from both simulated and real data demonstrate that this approach exhibits superior detection performance across diverse application scenarios, significantly improving the accuracy and robustness of target detection in PolSAR images. The key strength of this framework lies in providing a novel, unified solution for PolSAR image processing, effectively integrating the rigor of statistical analysis for practical applications.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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series IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing
spelling doaj-art-3cf14fd0f9fe49d483ad4bf06001aebc2025-08-20T02:18:55ZengIEEEIEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing1939-14042151-15352025-01-0118105141052910.1109/JSTARS.2025.355583310945402A General Framework for CFAR Detection in PolSAR Imagery Based on Quadratic StatisticsZiyuan Yang0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7122-4173Liguo Liu1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8461-164XXiaoyang Hou2Yinghui Quan3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6541-9441Xian Zhang4Tao Liu5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9596-4536School of Electronic Engineering, Naval University of Engineering, Wuhan, ChinaSchool of Electronic Engineering, Naval University of Engineering, Wuhan, ChinaSchool of Electronic Engineering, Naval University of Engineering, Wuhan, ChinaDepartment of Remote Sensing Science and Technology, School of Electronic Engineering, and the Key Laboratory of Collaborative Intelligence Systems, Ministry of Education, Xidian University, Xi'an, ChinaSchool of Electronic Engineering, Naval University of Engineering, Wuhan, ChinaSchool of Electronic Engineering, Naval University of Engineering, Wuhan, ChinaIn the field of target detection in polarimetric synthetic aperture Radar (PolSAR) imagery, the constant false alarm rate (CFAR) algorithm is renowned for its operability and high interpretability. Given the challenges faced by deep learning methods in scenarios with limited labeled data and insufficient prior information, CFAR detection techniques remain vital in resource-constrained environments requiring rapid response. However, in the context of CFAR detection in PolSAR imagery, traditional intensity-based statistical modeling approaches, such as gamma distribution, generalized gamma distribution, and log-normal distribution, become inadequate when handling feature maps generated by nonpositive definite transformation matrices. In addition, some nonparametric methods suffer from a lack of robust statistical theoretical support, resulting in insufficient robustness. To effectively address this core issue, this study proposes a general framework for CFAR based on quadratic statistics, employing both the numerical solution of the Gil-Pelaez inversion formula and Monte Carlo reinforcement as strategies to determine detection thresholds. Experimental results from both simulated and real data demonstrate that this approach exhibits superior detection performance across diverse application scenarios, significantly improving the accuracy and robustness of target detection in PolSAR images. The key strength of this framework lies in providing a novel, unified solution for PolSAR image processing, effectively integrating the rigor of statistical analysis for practical applications.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10945402/Constant false alarm rate (CFAR)Gil-Pelaez inversion formulaMonte Carlo reinforcementpolarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR)quadratic statistics
spellingShingle Ziyuan Yang
Liguo Liu
Xiaoyang Hou
Yinghui Quan
Xian Zhang
Tao Liu
A General Framework for CFAR Detection in PolSAR Imagery Based on Quadratic Statistics
IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing
Constant false alarm rate (CFAR)
Gil-Pelaez inversion formula
Monte Carlo reinforcement
polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR)
quadratic statistics
title A General Framework for CFAR Detection in PolSAR Imagery Based on Quadratic Statistics
title_full A General Framework for CFAR Detection in PolSAR Imagery Based on Quadratic Statistics
title_fullStr A General Framework for CFAR Detection in PolSAR Imagery Based on Quadratic Statistics
title_full_unstemmed A General Framework for CFAR Detection in PolSAR Imagery Based on Quadratic Statistics
title_short A General Framework for CFAR Detection in PolSAR Imagery Based on Quadratic Statistics
title_sort general framework for cfar detection in polsar imagery based on quadratic statistics
topic Constant false alarm rate (CFAR)
Gil-Pelaez inversion formula
Monte Carlo reinforcement
polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR)
quadratic statistics
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10945402/
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