Abstract:A SAR platform location method which utilizes the high-precision scene matching of SAR images and optical reference images was proposed. According to that the projections of SAR platform and object point in SAR image centerline are collinear, some points on the centerline were equably engaged as control points in the proposal method, and then the spatial position was obtained by matching with optical reference image. The equation of the projection line on the local horizon of centerline was estimated with the points. The projection point position of the SAR platform on the horizontal plane was calculated by making use of the straight line and slant-range-altitude information, as well as the spatial position of the platform. Considering the difference between boresight and squint imaging mode, rough rectifying methods were respectively proposed according to the two modes to improve the matching precision. The impact of different errors on location precision was also analyzed and the precision estimation formulas were derived. Both simulation and real data test results show high accuracy and precision of the proposed method, thus bringing forth good practical value for engineering.