Novel Approach for ISAR Image Cross-Range Scaling

Inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging systems produce electromagnetic images of targets in the range-Doppler domain. In order to rescale the image in a homogeneous range-cross range domain (meters by meters), the modulus of the target effective rotation vector must be known. Although in some cases it can be retrieved by means of ancillary data, in most cases the modulus of the target effective rotation vector must be estimated. A blind technique is proposed for estimating the modulus of the target effective rotation vector that exploits information carried by the chirp rate of scattering centres. A technique based on image segmentation, local polynomial Fourier transform (LPFT), and image contrast (IC) maximisation is used in order to extract the scattering centres and estimate their chirp rate. Simulated and real data analyses are provided to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.     

双基地角时变下的ISAR等效旋转中心估计

双基地逆合成孔径雷达（ISAR）距离-多普勒算法成像时，容易引起越分辨单元徙动问题，影响成像质量，为了抑制越分辨单元徙动，需要估计目标的等效旋转中心。本文针对双基地角时变下的ISAR等效旋转中心估计问题，提出了一种等效旋转中心估计算法。该算法首先将运动补偿后的一维距离像序列分为两组并分别成像，得到两幅图像；其次，假定某个距离单元为等效旋转中心位置，对两幅图像进行畸变校正，使得两幅图像只存在一个视角差，按视角差旋转其中的一幅图像，并与另一幅图像作相关，得到相关系数；然后，假定下一个距离单元为等效旋转中心位置，重复上述步骤，直至遍历结束，相关系数最大值对应的假定位置就是估计的等效旋转中心。最后进行了仿真对比实验，表明本文算法能够有效估计双基地角时变下的ISAR等效旋转中心位置。     

Precision tracking algorithms for ISAR imaging

The simultaneous imaging and tracking of a moving target is one of the most difficult problems in inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) signal processing. The problem is addressed here using a two-antenna imaging radar. The target range shift is sensed with an exponentially averaged envelope correlation algorithm while the angle change is measured with a differential phase shift algorithm. The three state Kalman filters are used in range and azimuth dimensions to provide both a filtered estimate and a one-sample-ahead prediction for the purpose of target tracking. The filtered range shift provides an accurate information for range bin alignment, and the target angle change provides the angular positions of the synthetic array elements. Therefore, the ISAR imaging simply becomes processing of a circular-arc aperture. The algorithms are verified both by computer simulations and also with experimental data processing     

A new algorithm for the formation of ISAR images

A new technique for implementing the enhanced image processing (EIP) algorithm for the formation of inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) images is presented. The EIP algorithm is required when, during the formation of an image, scattering centers on a target move out of range and/or Doppler resolution cells. This phenomenon is common for high resolution imagery of practical-sized targets. The method presented is based entirely on the fast Fourier transform (FFT) and therefore does not require the interpolation schemes that are prevalent in the standard EIP implementation. A brief review of the theory of radar imaging is presented to establish the notation for the work. Following the presentation of the new algorithm, a simple example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new technique. In addition work is presented that demonstrates the processing required to reduce the sidelobes in imagery generated by the EIP technique     

机动目标的逆合成孔径雷达成像

 逆合成孔径雷达(ISAR)和合成孔径雷达 (SAR)都是利用目标 (场景)与雷达的相对运动,提高横向分辨率,实现对目标 (场景 )的成像。SAR的运动方是雷达平台,可控制作平稳飞行,且用仪器测校其偏离误差;ISAR的运动方通常是非合作目标,运动不受控制,且难以精确测量。当目标作机动飞行时,以目标作固定基准,雷达等效地在空间形成流形复杂的逆合成孔径 (阵列 ),对这种情况下成像的问题进行了系统的研究。     

Imaging of target with complicated motion using ISAR system based on IPHAF-TVA

The technique of imaging a target with a complicated motion using an Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) system is an effective tool in the field of radar signal processing. After the translational compensation, the received signal reflected from the target can take the form of a multi-component Polynomial Phase Signal (m-PPS), and the high quality ISAR image can be provided via the combination between the estimated parameters of the m-PPS and the Range Instantaneous-Doppler technique (RID). For a target with a high maneuvrability, the occurrence of scatterers Migration Through Resolution Cell (MTRC), caused by the rotational movement could be appearing. That is why the variation in the amplitude of the echo during the time of observation cannot be neglected. The purpose of this study is the parameters estimation of the m-PPS signal with order three in the case of the Time Varying Amplitude (TVA). The Improved-version of the Product High-order Ambiguity Function (IPHAF) with TVA is proposed to improve the quality of the ISAR image compared with traditional techniques based on a constant amplitude; the experimental outcomes confirm that the new IPHAF-TVA method presented in this study is an effective technique to make the ISAR image very clear.     

Robust autofocus algorithm for ISAR imaging of moving targets

A robust autofocus approach, referred to as AUTOCLEAN (AUTOfocus via CLEAN), is proposed for the motion compensation in ISAR (inverse synthetic aperture radar) imaging of moving targets. It is a parametric algorithm based on a very flexible data model which takes into account arbitrary range migration and arbitrary phase errors across the synthetic aperture that may be induced by unwanted radial motion of the target as well as propagation or system instability. AUTOCLEAN can be classified as a multiple scatterer algorithm (MSA), but it differs considerably from other existing MSAs in several aspects: (1) Dominant scatterers are selected automatically in the 2D image domain; (2) scatterers may not be well isolated or very dominant; (3) phase and RCS information from each selected scatterer are combined in an optimal way; (4) the troublesome phase unwrapping step is avoided. AUTOCLEAN is computationally efficient and involves only a sequence of FFTs. Another good feature associated with AUTOCLEAN is that its performance can be progressively improved by assuming a larger number of dominant scatterers for the target. Numerical and experimental results have shown that AUTOCLEAN is a very robust autofocus tool for ISAR imaging     

方位维逆合成孔径雷达(ISAR)运动补偿成象中的预加处理

在方位维逆合成孔径雷达（ISAR）运动补偿成象中,为了获得方位维的高分辨力,需要处理的数据量很大。预加处理首先对原始数据进行频移和滤波,然后由滤波后的数据进行抽取,从而大大压缩了所需处理的数据,减小了运动补偿和成象的计算量,提高了成象处理速度。电磁仿真数据和外场实测数据的处理结果验证了预加处理的有效性。     

ISAR非平稳目标成像时间和转速联合估计方法

针对逆合成孔径雷达(ISAR)非平稳目标成像,提出基于两特显点相位联合估计成像时间和转速的方法,并得到了转速与相位斜率差(PSD)的解析表达式.首先,基于两个特显点距离单元估计目标转动相位,根据不同时间段转动相位线性度(PLD)选择成像时间.其次,在适合成像的时间段,将成像时间等分成两段,分别提取两段时间内转动相位的斜...     

Autofocusing of ISAR images based on entropy minimization

A novel autofocusing technique is developed for random translational motion compensation in inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging of objects. This technique is based on an entropy minimization principle and validated via a nonparametric estimation method. Images of a simulation and a real flying aircraft are used for illustration. Images of encouraging quality confirm the feasibility of autofocusing the radar images by just the requirement of minimizing the image entropy     

Range-Doppler Imaging of Rotating Objects

During the integration time required to obtain fine Dopplerfrequency resolution in a range-Doppler imaging radar, a point on a rotating object may move through several range and Doppler resolution cells and produce a smeared image. This motion can be compensated by storing the appropriately processed return pulse, and the angular coordinates are determined by the angular coordinates of the radar antenna. The resulting stored data represents the three-dimensional Fourier transform of the object reflectivity density, and hence can be processed by an inverse Fourier transformation. Also included is an analysis of the three-dimensional radar/object geometry with separate source and receiver locations. The effects of various system aberrations are investigated and experimental results from a microwave test range which demonstrate the image improvement are presented.     

空间进动目标动态散射特性的实验研究

研制了进动目标模型,构建了紧凑场微波暗室动态测量系统,通过暗室实验的方法研究了空间进动目标的动态散射特性,给出了若干典型条件下的全极化宽带测量结果。通过实验可以观察到目标进动引起的多普勒频移,证明了微波雷达对进动目标微多普勒的可观测性,同时观察到弹头常见结构引起的非理想点散射现象。实验结果的分析表明,该实验系统能够有效地揭示进动目标的目标特性和回波调制特性,从而为弹道中段目标的动态电磁散射特性、目标结构反演、运动参数提取和逆合成孔径雷达(ISAR)成像的研究奠定了基础,对于弹道中段目标识别的研究具有重要的意义。     

表面粗糙的复杂目标全极化ISAR图像快速仿真

为了获取基于模板图像的车辆、飞机等复杂目标识别所需的海量高质量逆合成孔径雷达(ISAR)图像,提出了表面粗糙的复杂目标全极化ISAR图像快速仿真方法。该方法预先对车辆和飞机等复杂目标表面粗糙程度进行分级定量描述,并以改进的射线弹跳法和等效边缘流法快速预估来自目标粗糙表面的镜面反射和多次反射贡献以及细分边缘的绕射贡献,经相干叠加获得目标的精确电磁散射数据,最后进行成像处理得到高质量全极化ISAR图像。标准体、飞机和车辆目标的仿真实验结果验证了该方法的准确性和有效性。     

Time windowing for highly focused ISAR image reconstruction

In several applications long recorded live inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) data are used to obtain one or more ISAR images. In order to reconstruct a well-focused ISAR image, a suitable selection of the echoes to be coherently processed must be provided. Such a selection can be made by defining a time window. We propose a technique for the automatic selection of the position and length of the time window that provides the ISAR image with the highest focus. The technique, namely the maximum contrast based automatic time window selection (MC-ATWS), is based on the definition of image contrast (IC). Due to the fact that the IC is a measure of the image focus, the time window is selected by maximizing the IC. The technique effectiveness is tested by using simulated and real data.     

A novel range-Doppler imaging algorithm with OFDM radar

Traditional pulse Doppler radar estimates the Doppler frequency by taking advantage of Doppler modulation over different pulses and usually it requires a few pulses to estimate the Doppler frequency. In this paper, a novel range-Doppler imaging algorithm based on single pulse with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) radar is proposed, where the OFDM pulse is composed of phase coded symbols. The Doppler frequency is estimated using one single pulse by utilizing Doppler modulation over different symbols, which remarkably increases the data update rate. Besides, it is shown that the range and Doppler estimations are completely independent and the well-known range-Doppler coupling effect does not exist. The effects of target movement on the performances of the proposed algorithm are also discussed and the results show that the algorithm is not sensitive to velocity. Performances of the proposed algorithm as well as comparisons with other range-Doppler algorithms are demonstrated via simulation experiments.     

On the Design of a Large Aperture Radar for Target Imaging

This paper describes the design, construction, and performance of an experimental radar, in which an electronically scanned X-band array is employed as the receiving antenna. Backscatter from targets uniformly illuminated from a separate transmitting antenna is intercepted by 128 horn antennas, unequally spaced over a nine-foot circular aperture. The received signals are processed electronically to provide a complete scan of a 30X30 degree field every ten milliseconds. Resulting target images were displayed on a cathode ray tube and recorded on 16-mm motion picture film, for varying conditions of target motion using monochromatic and frequency-modulated X-band illumination. Sequences of motion picture frames obtained from a rotating copper cone are presented, which demonstrate significant changes in the image and side-lobe interference patterns for small changes in target aspect angle. Side-lobe interference effects were reduced by integrating many antenna scans as the target rotated; a clear image of a foil letter R is presented that demonstrated this result. The main objective of this work was to test this radar technique as an approach to target recognition.     

Robust range alignment algorithm via Hough transform in an ISARimaging system

The inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) algorithm for imaging objects moving in a straight line requires range alignment as a preprocessing step since scatterers migrate through the various range bins. The conventional correlation alignment method fails when applied in ground scenarios like an airport due to the clutter environment. A procedure using Hough Transform (HT) alignment is presented which overcomes this disadvantage and provides information for clutter elimination     

Doppler Compensation & Single Pulse Imaging using Adaptive Pulse Compression

The effects of target Doppler are addressed in relation to adaptive receive processing for radar pulse compression. To correct for Doppler-induced filter mismatch over a single pulse, the Doppler-compensated adaptive pulse compression (DC-APC) algorithm is presented whereby the respective Doppler shifts for large target returns are jointly estimated with the illuminated range profile and subsequently incorporated into the original APC adaptive receive filter formulation. As a result, the Doppler-mismatch-induced range sidelobes can be suppressed thereby regaining a significant portion of the sensitivity improvement that is possible when applying adaptive pulse compression (APC) without the existence of significant Doppler mismatch. In contrast, instead of compensating for Doppler mismatch, the single pulse imaging (SPI) algorithm generalizes the APC formulation for a bank of Doppler-shifted matched filters thereby producing a sidelobe-suppressed range-Doppler image from the return signal of a single radar pulse which is applicable for targets with substantial variation in Doppler. Both techniques are based on the recently proposed APC algorithm and its generalization, the multistatic adaptive pulse compression (MAPC) algorithm, which have been shown to be effective for the suppression of pulse compression range sidelobes thus dramatically increasing the sensitivity of pulse compression radar.     

ISAR imaging of targets at low elevation angles

The problem of inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) image reconstruction of targets at low elevation angle is considered. In this geometric condition the main causes affecting the reconstructed ISAR image are the multipath effect due to the reflection of the Earth's surface and the angular motions of the target produced by external action like wind, fast maneuvering, and sea waves as in the case of ships. The aim of this work is to analyze the effects that the multipath and the target angular motions jointly produce on the ISAR image. The results show that multipath generates some artifacts in the image whereas the target oscillations undergo a spatial-dependent blurring of the point spread function of the ISAR system. These theoretical results are validated by presenting some numerical examples relevant to aircrafts and ships in rectilinear or circular motion. A wide discussion on possible solutions of this problem is made in the conclusion