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     

Bistatic Synthetic-Aperture Radar Imaging of Rotating Objects

The imaging properties of a focused radar aperture synthesized by object rotation are considered. The ring-shaped aperture synthesized by the object rotation can provide high-resolution two-dimensional imaging using only monochromatic irradiation. The case of monochromatic irradiation is extended to the polychromatic case and to equivalent bistatic geometries. These techniques offer practical methods for radar imaging of rotating objects with scattering centers visible over large angular extents.     

FOPEN SAR imaging using UWB step-frequency and random noisewaveforms

The detection and identification of targets obscured by foliage have been topics of great interest. Several synthetic aperture radar (SAR) experiments have demonstrated promising images of terrain and man-made objects obscured by dense foliage, by using either linear frequency modulation (LFM) or step-frequency waveforms. We present here the methodology and results of a comparative study on foliage penetration (FOPEN) SAR imaging using ultrawideband (UWB) step-frequency and random noise waveforms. A statistical-physical foliage transmission model is developed for simulation applications. The foliage obscuring pattern is analyzed by means of the technique of paired echoes. The results of the comparative study demonstrates the ability of a UHF band UWB random noise radar to be used as a FOPEN SAR. Advantages of the random noise radar system include covert detection and immunity to radio frequency interference (RFI)     

An efficient 3-D near-field ISAR algorithm

This paper presents a new three-dimensional (3-D) near-field inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging technique. A 3-D ISAR image can be obtained by processing coherently the backscattered fields as a function of the frequency and two rotation angles about axes which are mutually orthogonal. Most of the existing ISAR algorithms are based on the Fourier transform and as such can tolerate only small amounts of wavefront curvature. Wavefront curvature must be taken into account when imaging an object in the near-field. Near-field ISAR imaging of large objects using a direct Fourier inversion may result in images which are increasingly unfocused at points which are more distant from the center of rotation. An algorithm based on an azimuth convolution between a near-field focusing function and the frequency domain backscattered fields is discussed. This convolution is efficiently implemented by using fast Fourier transform (FFT) techniques. Furthermore, in order to further alleviate the computational load of the algorithm, the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) of the focusing function is evaluated by means of the stationary phase method. Experimental results show that this technique is precise and virtually impulse invariant     

Sequential Scene Matching Using Edge Features

When radar and optical images are examined in detail, it is often found that the most distinguishable common feature of the two types of images is the shapes of various natural as well as man-made objects. An edge-extraction technique was developed and used to extract the salient edges of the objects of interest. A sequential, hierarchical search technique was implemented in the matching of the images using the edge features.     

基于脉冲交错的数字阵列雷达任务优化调度算法

针对数字阵列雷达搜索、跟踪和成像任务的资源调度问题,提出一种数字阵列雷达(DAR)任务的优化调度算法。该算法以脉冲交错技术为基础,在对目标搜索与跟踪的同时,利用基于压缩感知的稀疏孔径认知逆合成孔径雷达(ISAR)成像方法对部分精密跟踪目标成像,并采用观测时间动态调整策略以提高雷达系统的自适应能力。仿真结果表明,与传统雷达资源调度算法相比,该算法可以将成像任务考虑到优化调度模型中并合理分配资源,实现雷达多任务并行的调度,获得更高的资源利用率与期望的成像质量。     

一种提高距离分辨率的FMCW SAR RD成像算法

调频连续波合成孔径雷达（FMCW SAR）是一种新近提出来的成像雷达体制,它结合调频连续波与合成孔径成像技术,具有体积小、重量轻、成本低、分辨率高等一系列优点。从频谱的角度进行分析,FMCW SAR的距离分辨率取决于频率测量分辨率。文章研究了一种FMCW SAR高距离分辨率成像算法——利用FFT得到差频信号谱峰的粗略范围,再对这一范围进行ChirpZ变换,从而实现距离高精度估计,并且避免了大的计算量。仿真结果表明该方法的有效性。     

Nonlinear apodization for sidelobe control in SAR imagery

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery often requires sidelobe control, or apodization, via weighting of the frequency domain aperture. This is of particular importance when imaging scenes containing objects such as ships or buildings having very large radar cross sections. Sidelobe improvement using spectral weighting is invariably at the expense of mainlobe resolution presented here is a class of nonlinear operators which significantly reduce sidelobe levels without degrading mainlobe resolution implementation is via sequential nonlinear operations applied to complex-valued (undetected) SAR imagery. SAR imaging is used to motivate the concepts developed in this work. However, these nonlinear apodization techniques have potentially broad and far-ranging applications in antenna design, sonar, digital filtering etc., i.e., whenever data can be represented as the Fourier transform of a finite-aperture signal     

Space-time-frequency processing of synthetic aperture radar signals

The subject of this work is the detection and high resolution microwave imaging of objects moving on the ground and observed by an airborne radar. The proposed approach is based on a combined space-time and time-frequency processing. The space-time processing makes use of a linear array antenna and exploits the radar motion for filtering the received echoes in order to improve as much as possible the signal-to-disturbance ratio. The signal is then mapped onto the time-frequency domain, by computing its Wigner-Ville distribution, for a further filtering and for estimating its instantaneous frequency, necessary for the formation of a high resolution image of the moving object     

一种改进的FMCW SAR RD成像算法

FMCWSAR将调频连续波与合成孔径成像技术结合于一体,是一种新近被提出来的成像雷达体制,它以其体积小、重量轻、成本低、分辨率高等一系列优点,引起越来越多的关注。然而,在FMCWSAR系统中,雷达连续不断地发射信号,调制信号周期相对较长,停一走（STOP AND GO）近似不再成立,所以要用合适的算法来实现成像。针对FMCW SAR的特点,详细推导了停一走近似失效时FMCW SAR的信号模型及处理过程,提出了一种改进的RD算法。此方法是通过补偿连续运动引入的多普勒频移,消除连续运动的影响。     

Quantitative SNR analysis for ISAR imaging using jointtime-frequency analysis-Short time Fourier transform

V.C. Chen recently presented an inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging technique using the joint time-frequency analysis (JTFA), which has been shown having a better performance for maneuvering targets over the conventional Fourier transform method. The main reason is because the frequencies of the radar returns of the maneuvering targets are time varying and a JTFA is a technique that is suitable for such signals, in particular a JTFA may concentrate a wideband signal, such as a chirp, while it spreads noise. We quantitatively study the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the ISAR imaging using one of the typical JTFA techniques, namely the short time Fourier transform (STFT). We show that the SNR increases in the joint time-frequency (TF) domain over the one in the time or the frequency domain alone both theoretically and numerically. This quantitatively shows the advantage of the JTFA technique for the ISAR imaging     

High resolution 3D “snapshot” ISAR imaging and featureextraction

We have developed a new formulation for three dimensional (3D) radar imaging of inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) data based on recent developments in high resolution spectral estimation theory. Typically for non real-time applications, image formation is a two step process consisting of motion determination and image generation. The technique presented focuses on this latter process, and assumes the motion of the target is known. The new technique offers several advantages over conventional techniques which are based on the correlation imaging function. In particular, the technique provides for a direct 3D estimate (versus back projection to a 3D target grid matrix) of the locations of the dominant scattering centers using only a minimum set of independent 2D range-Doppler ISAR “snapshots” of the target. Because of the snapshot nature of the technique, it is particularly applicable to 3D imaging of sectors of sparse-angle data, for which the sidelobes of the correlation imaging integral become high. Furthermore, the technique provides for an estimate of amplitude and phase of each scattering center as a function of aspect angle to the target, for those aspect angles which encompass the set of 2D range-Doppler snapshots. Results illustrating the technique developed are presented for both simulated and static range data     

基于二维资源管理的多功能雷达任务调度算法

动态孔径分割技术为相控阵雷达针对不同任务灵活分配孔径资源提供了可能,而传统的资源调度方法仅基于单一孔径条件研究了时间资源的优化分配问题。针对雷达搜索、跟踪与成像任务的自适应调度问题,提出了一种基于时间-孔径二维资源管理的雷达资源调度算法。该算法建立了雷达孔径分割条件下的二维资源调度模型,确立了能量资源约束条件;利用基于压缩感知的稀疏孔径逆合成孔径雷达（ISAR）成像技术,使雷达在完成目标搜索和跟踪任务的同时实现对目标的成像;定义了调度算法性能的评价指标。在仿真实验中将该算法与另外2种算法进行对比,验证了所提算法在高度成功率、二维资源利用率与任务并行度这3种性能指标上具有优越性。     

WARLOC: A High-Power Coherent 94 GHz Radar

This paper describes the development of a high-power, coherent radar system at W-band and discusses potential applications of radars with this new capability. Previous radars in this frequency band were limited by available power-amplifier technology to about 500 W of average power; WARLOC radar represents an increase in power, by 20 times, over previous coherent radars at 94 GHz. This performance improvement is possible due to the development of a gyroklystron amplifier specifically for this and future radars in this frequency band. The gyroklystron amplifier tubes deliver 100 kW peak power and 10 kW of average power at a center frequency of approximately 94 GHz. Other novel features of this radar include the use of highly overmoded waveguides and rotary joints for the transmission of power from the final power amplifier (FPA) to the antenna, and a high-power quasi-optical duplexer. The system uses a relatively large 1.8 m diameter (580-wavelength) Cassegrain antenna, which required the development of an antenna with an rms surface accuracy of 0.0025 in, to obtain long-range detection and identification of small objects. Test data show an antenna gain of 62.5 dB, confirming that the needed surface accuracy was achieved. Two mobile shelters house the radar system, permitting relocation to various test sites. WARLOC is presently operational at the Naval Research Laboratory's Chesapeake Bay Detachment facility, Maryland. It is being employed in radar imaging of airborne and surface objects, and in the scientific study of propagation effects and atmospheric physics phenomena.     

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     

电大尺寸散射体的RCS计算方法研究

为了更加有效的求解电大目标散射计算问题,在避免谐振区效应情况下获得复杂目标的隐身雷达散射截面(RCS)特性,引用混合场积分方程(CFIE),在快速算法的求解迭代过程中采用共轭梯度算法(CG)的收敛技术,能够稳定的求解电大尺寸的RCS。计算和分析了金属球双站RCS和金属立方体双站RCS,并和精确计算、相关参考文献进行了比较,证明了方法的正确性,计算结果稳定,在工程实际上有较大的应用价值。     

Preventing Damage by Hidden Objects in Vegetation

The paper presents the experimental radar-based sensor to operate in environment with vegetation cover for detection and discrimination there the small-sized invisible dielectric and metallic objects. This sensor constitutes a vehicle-housed emergency system for surveillance of area with vegetation ahead on the path of moving vehicle to prevent its contact with hidden objects. The emergency system functioning in basically implemented by real-time electromagnetic imaging of the scene of interest and its following image processing to enhance the target responses. The developed and tested experimental radar techniques are under consideration. The results of experimental examinations in field are presented and discussed.     

Ultra-wideband ground-penetrating radar for the detection of buriedmetallic mines

The suitability of ultra-wideband ground-penetrating radar as a tool for the detection of buried metallic mines is explored in this paper. The analysis centers around a 200-800 MHz, dual-polarized ground penetrating radar (GPR) designed and built by SRI International. The analysis consisted of fusing the images from the dual polarizations into a single image to enhance the target objects and suppress clutter. Results are shown for several variations of a Mahalanobis-based fusion technique, and “soft decision” minefield detection results based upon Monte Carlo statistical techniques are also presented. Although relatively few scenes were analyzed, these results show that the dual-polarized GPR is potentially very effective at finding buried mines and minefields     

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     

Improving slant-range resolution with multiple SAR surveys

Across-track resolution of a spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system is limited by power and data rate constraints. The authors derive and discuss a new technique for increasing the across-track resolution of objects that do not change with time, using multiple surveys of the same area from different off-nadir angles. Precise information on the spaceborne trajectories are not requested since they can be derived from SAR interferometry. Simulated data show that theoretical derivations are in good agreement with practice