Moving Target Detection in SAR GMTI Application Using Gap Statistics and k-NN

In aviation and space technology, which progresses in parallel with the developments in terms of sophistication and defense, the importance of imaging, detection and tracking with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems is gradually increasing. Among SAR applications, ground moving target indication (GMTI) is of great importance, especially in terms of intelligence, with its different usage areas. Within the scope of GMTI, developments for moving target detection continue, taking into account variable platform, target or clutter configurations. In this study, unlike the existing literature, an ATI (Along Track Interferometry) based GMTI method supported by Gap statistics and k-NN clustering methods is proposed to find the numbers and locations of moving targets. The introduced methodology also calculates target radial velocities along with location and number information about the targets. When the performances for different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and resolution situations are examined, it is seen that the proposed GMTI method offers successful results.