5.     CONCLUSIONS

This technical note has presented a phase-preserving algorithm to process ScanSAR data.   It is based on the RD algorithm, using a combination of weighting, zero padding and FFTs to achieve the desired phase properties.   The look placement and data selection are modified to accommodate the unique pattern of energy received in burst mode, in a similar way as the SPECAN algorithm.   The modifications build upon the well-proven attributes of the RD algorithm, and unifies the treatment of continuous-mode and burst-mode data.

Mathematical analysis and simulation experiments were performed, and image quality parameters were measured.   The measurements agreed with the theoretical values, thus verifying that the proposed algorithm can be used to process ScanSAR data with high phase fidelity.