Performance improvement for constellation SAR using signal processing techniques

A new concept of spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) implementation has recently been proposed - the constellation of small spaceborne SAR systems. In this implementation, several formation-flying small satellites cooperate to perform multiple space missions. We investigate the possibility to produce high-resolution wide-area SAR images and fine ground moving-target indicator (GMTI) performance with constellation of small spaceborne SAR systems. In particular, we focus on the problems introduced by this particular SAR system, such as Doppler ambiguities, high sparseness of the satellite array, and array element errors. A space-time adaptive processing (STAP) approach combined with conventional SAR imaging algorithms is proposed which can solve these problems to some extent. The main idea of the approach is to use a STAP-based method to properly overcome the aliasing effect caused by the lower pulse-repetition frequency (PRF) and thereby retrieve the unambiguous azimuth wide (full) spectrum signals from the received echoes. Following this operation, conventional SAR data processing tools can be applied to focus the SAR images fully. The proposed approach can simultaneously achieve both high-resolution SAR mapping of wide ground scenes and GMTI with high efficiency. To obtain array element errors, an array auto-calibration technique is proposed to estimate them based on the angular and Doppler ambiguity analysis of the clutter echo. The optimizing of satellite formations is also analyzed, and a platform velocity/PRF criterion for array configurations is presented. An approach is given to make it possible that almost any given sparse array configuration can satisfy the criterion by slightly adjusting the PRF. Simulated results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.     

飞行器机动飞行时发动机转子等变速运动的动力学特性研究

 建立了位于机动飞行器内单盘 Jeffcott转子系统的动力学模型,研究了飞行器飞行速度和加速度变化对飞行器内等加速、等减速两种等变速运行转子振幅响应曲线的影响,模拟了飞行器在垂直平面作正弦曲线轨迹运动时相应的响应曲线。结论表明飞行器的速度和加速度变化会改变飞行器内等变速转子的振幅大小和响应曲线趋势,飞行器在垂直平面作正弦曲线轨迹的机动飞行时,飞行器动作的幅度和周期的影响都很明显。对重力参数和不平衡参数的影响也作了研究。     

一种超高分辨率机载聚束SAR两维自聚焦算法

受运动参数测量误差和大气扰动等因素影响,合成孔径雷达(SAR)图像通常会发生散焦,利用自聚焦对散焦的SAR图像进行后处理是一种有效的重聚焦手段。传统的自聚焦算法都只是针对方位一维相位误差的估计和补偿。随着成像分辨率的提高,自聚焦时残留距离徙动的校正成为SAR成像面临的一个新挑战。本文推导得到了极坐标格式算法处理后残留距离徙动和方位相位误差的解析表达式,分析了两者之间的内在关系,并利用该关系,提出了一种能够同时进行残留距离徙动和方位相位误差补偿的两维自聚焦算法。实测数据处理结果表明,在残留距离徙动效应不可忽略的条件下,该方法能够极大地改善原有自聚焦算法的聚焦性能。     

弹载合成孔径雷达自适应重频分析与设计

弹载合成孔径雷达(Synthetic Aperture Radar,SAR)的目标距离、视线角由于高速逼近目标而快速变化,这导致传统的固定脉冲重复频率(Pulse Repetition Frequency,PRF)(简称重频)波形难以兼顾弹载SAR雷达在成像各方面的约束条件,故需要根据当前弹体运动和弹目关系变化情况实时计算重频。详细分析了影响重频选择的各项因素,包括避免距离模糊、方位模糊、高度杂波、发射遮挡影响及SAR成像分辨率、系统相参性要求等影响因素,并设计了自适应重频计算的工作流程。某SAR雷达系统实验表明,该设计能够在实际飞行弹道条件下根据实际弹目关系自适应调整脉冲重复频率,从而更好地实现SAR雷达系统的工作性能,有效解决了固定重频波形不能适应弹载SAR工作条件的难题。     

自旋式飞行器三维SAR成像及测高新模型

 自旋式飞行器由于运动轨迹复杂,不仅不能精确测量飞行高度,而且从未被用做SAR成像平台。通过研究自旋式飞行器的三维SAR成像新模型,将测高与三维SAR成像相结合,提出了一种基于三维SAR成像的测高新模型。首先分析了自旋式飞行器天线相位中心运动轨迹的特点,将具有三维空间分布的半螺旋线天线运动轨迹等效为面阵天线;然后基于等效面阵,利用模糊函数理论,推导了相应的三维成像模型,从理论上证明了模型的成像可行性并分析其成像性能;最后在成像模型基础上,提出基于三维SAR成像的自旋式飞行器测高新模型,并从成像角度分析影响测高精度的因素。针对等效面阵非均匀分布的特点,采用后向投影(BP)算法仿真验证自旋式飞行器模型下三维成像的可行性和测高模型的有效性。     

Digital Beamforming on Receive: Techniques and Optimization Strategies for High-Resolution Wide-Swath SAR Imaging

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a well-proven imaging technique for remote sensing of the Earth. However, conventional SAR systems are not capable of fulfilling the increasing demands for improved spatial resolution and wider swath coverage. To overcome these inherent limitations, several innovative techniques have been suggested which employ multiple receive-apertures to gather additional information along the synthetic aperture. These digital beamforming (DBF) on receive techniques are reviewed with particular emphasis on the multi-aperture signal processing in azimuth and a multi-aperture reconstruction algorithm is presented that allows for the unambiguous recovery of the Doppler spectrum. The impact of Doppler aliasing is investigated and an analytic expression for the residual azimuth ambiguities is derived. Further, the influence of the processing on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is analyzed, resulting in a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) dependent factor describing the SNR scaling of the multi-aperture beamforming network. The focus is then turned to a complete high-resolution wide-swath SAR system design example which demonstrates the intricate connection between multi-aperture azimuth processing and the system architecture. In this regard, alternative processing approaches are compared with the multi-aperture reconstruction algorithm. In a next step, optimization strategies are discussed as pattern tapering, prebeamshaping-on-receive, and modified processing algorithms. In this context, the analytic expressions for both the residual ambiguities and the SNR scaling factor are generalized to cascaded beamforming networks. The suggested techniques can moreover be extended in many ways. Examples discussed are a combination with ScanSAR burst mode operation and the transfer to multistatic sparse array configurations.     

SAR极坐标格式成像算法对运动目标响应特性

运动目标的合成孔径雷达（SAR）成像特征是SAR地面运动目标指示（SAR/GMTI）系统进行运动目标检测、成像和重定位的基础。为此,从信号二维解耦合校正距离徙动角度推导和分析了极坐标格式算法（PFA）对运动目标的响应特性,揭示了极坐标格式转换过程中的距离插值和方位插值对运动目标距离徙动的校正原理。理论分析表明：PFA在完成对静止目标成像的同时,还能够自动校正所有运动目标的线性距离徒动,且校正过程无需目标运动信息,因此对于径向运动目标,在忽略波前弯曲条件下PFA也能够对其进行完全聚焦。最后,通过仿真数据处理对理论分析结果进行了验证,表明PFA作为一种运动目标成像预处理方法具有很大的应用前景。     

方位扫描SAR区域成像研究

研究在SAR区域成像中,通过天线波束方位扫描扩大成像区方位宽度的机理以及信号处理方法。首先描述天线波束扫描的几何关系,推导出为达到要求的成像分辨率以及成像区方位宽度所需的天线波束扫描角速度和扫描角度的计算公式。分析了成像区位置与载机航迹的几何关系。然后讨论方位扫描SAR区域成像信号处理方法,并给出系统点目标响应仿真结果。最后,用试飞实测数据成像做了验证。     

结合视线方向运动补偿的滑动聚束SAR子孔径成像算法

滑动聚束合成孔径雷达(SAR)是一种新兴的成像模式,既可以提高方位向分辨率又能够扩展成像范围。其数据处理时需要考虑两个关键问题:一是系统脉冲重复频率(PRF)不足,方位向信号发生混叠;二是合成孔径长度的增加使运动误差的影响更为突出,运动补偿(MOCO)精度要求提高。基于子孔径技术,提出了一种改进的高分辨率成像算法。划分子孔径克服了PRF不足的问题;子孔径数据处理采用结合视线(LOS)方向运动补偿的Omega-K算法,实现更高精度的运动补偿,提高了聚焦质量。最终的方位向分辨率达到0.1 m,具有实际工程应用价值。点目标仿真和实测数据处理验证了算法的有效性。     

A Nonlinear Tracker Using Attitude Measurements

The subject of this paper involves tracking the present position of a maneuvering aircraft as well as predicting its future position. A tracking filter is developed that uses aircraft attitude angles (yaw, pitch, roll) in addition to the usual radar measurements. Computer simulation of tracker performance when tracking violently maneuvering aircraft indicates that a dramatic improvement is obtained by using attitude information. The approach taken is to develop a 12-or 15-state extended Kalman filter that models both translational and rotational degrees of freedom. By measuring and estimating attitude it is possible to approximately determine the magnitude and direction of the force system acting on the vehicle and therefore determine vehicle linear acceleration. Knowledge of acceleration is then used to improve the estimate of present and future position of the vehicle being tracked. Simulation of a T-38 aircraft performing a 5 g turn indicates that the new tracker produces maximum trajectory prediction errors that are 36 percent of the errors experienced by more conventional trackers.     

Integrated precision SAR targeting: a SAR targeting simulation

Operational deficiencies exist in the current ability to perform high resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) targeting for precision strike missions in difficult electronic countermeasure (ECM) and anti-aircraft environments. Increasingly sophisticated enemy defenses require that fire control information be derived from highly maneuverable aircraft trajectories rather than traditional straight-and-level flight. In addition, target area aspect information is needed to determine optimal attack approaches. These imaging and targeting conditions impose severe performance requirements on the sensor aircraft motion compensation system (MCS), and dictate the need for sophisticated algorithms to counteract ECM threats. This paper describes the development of a user friendly “Design Tool” for modeling and analysis of airborne radar system performance for SAR imaging and Precision SAR Targeting     

Analysis and design optimization of monopulse receivers forsecondary surveillance radar

The sensitivity to calibration and component errors of the receiver configurations used for monopulse processing of secondary surveillance radar (SSR) replies is analyzed. The effects of video gain error in amplitude processors and large Gaussian perturbations in phase processors are discussed. Phase processors are shown to be robust to variations in antenna difference pattern null depth. A half-angle phase processor that yields the benefits of phase processing without the sensitivity to system errors associated with conventional implementations is described     

Taylor expansion of the differential range for monostatic SAR

The polar format algorithm (PFA) for spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is based on a linear approximation for the differential range to a scatterer. We derive a second-order Taylor series approximation of the differential range. We provide a simple and concise derivation of both the far-field linear approximation of the differential range, which forms the basis of the PFA, and the corresponding approximation limits based on the second-order terms of the approximation.     

Polar format algorithm for bistatic SAR

Matched filtering (MF) of phase history data is a mathematically ideal but computationally expensive approach to bistatic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image formation. Fast backprojection algorithms (BPAs) for image formation have recently been shown to give improved O(N/sup 2/ log/sub 2/N) performance. An O(N/sup 2/ log/sub 2/N) bistatic polar format algorithm (PFA) based on a bistatic far-field assumption is derived. This algorithm is a generalization of the popular PFA for monostatic SAR image formation and is highly amenable to implementation with existing monostatic image formation processors. Limits on the size of an imaged scene, analogous to those in monostatic systems, are derived for the bistatic PFA.     

飞机钣金组件数字化装配误差分析

以飞机数字化制造装配为依托,通过对飞机钣金组件在模拟量协调路线和数字量协调路线下产生误差环节的比较,着重分析了飞机钣金组件在数字化装配过程中产生的系统误差和随机误差的因素和造成误差累积的原因。针对减小在钣金零件制造路线、钣金组件装配路线、温度场变化、振动场变化、应力变化等环节的累积误差提出了改进措施。     

地效飞行器双断阶机腹着水砰击过载分析

地效飞行器着水过程中，断阶着水产生的冲击易导致结构表面屈曲或破坏。基于ALE 有限元法，通过罚函数法处理两相界面流固耦合问题，对地效飞行器着水过程进行数值模拟，分析不同前飞速度、下沉速度、俯仰角等参数变化对浸水深度、砰击过载等的影响。结果表明：在研究工况下，机体着水产生的压力峰值均出现在断阶处；随着俯仰角增加水平过载峰值减小，垂向过载峰值先增大后减小，俯仰角为7°时垂向过载峰值最大，是最低过载峰值（俯仰角为15°时）的1.4 倍；前飞速度增加致使水平过载峰值增大，而对垂向过载峰值影响不明显，但垂向过载峰值与垂向速度的平方近似呈线性关系，下沉速度越大，砰击过载峰值越大。     

倾转四旋翼飞行器垂直飞行状态气动特性

综合采用基于滑移网格技术的计算流体力学(CFD)方法与悬停状态气动干扰试验方法,对倾转四旋翼(QTR)飞行器垂直飞行状态的流场进行模拟与试验,研究飞行器垂直飞行状态气动特性以及部分参数对气动特性的影响.结果表明:倾转四旋翼飞行器在垂直飞行状态,前后旋翼之间干扰不明显,但旋翼与机翼的干扰明显;旋翼旋向对旋翼与机翼的干扰不...     

Minimum Sensitivity Controllers with Application to VTOL Aircraft

A technique is described for the design of a fixed-gain feedback controlier for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, which minimizes the effect of arbitrary variations in the aircraft dynamics on aircraft performance over varying flight conditions. The design method involves the assignment of the eigenvalues of the aircraft model to prescribed locations in the complex plane and the minimization of their sensitivities to model parameter variations. This controller is shown to possess better tracking and regulating capabilities than another fixed-gain controller designed merely for assignment of eigenvalues using nominal parameter values, without any consideration of their sensitivity to plant parameter variations.     

Numerical study of aerodynamic characteristics of FSW aircraft with different wing positions under supersonic condition

This paper investigates the influence of forward-swept wing(FSW) positions on the aerodynamic characteristics of aircraft under supersonic condition(Ma = 1.5). The numerical method based on Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes(RANS) equations, Spalart–Allmaras(S–A) turbulence model and implicit algorithm is utilized to simulate the flow field of the aircraft. The aerodynamic parameters and flow field structures of the horizontal tail and the whole aircraft are presented. The results demonstrate that the spanwise flow of FSW flows from the wingtip to the wing root, generating an upper wing surface vortex and a trailing edge vortex nearby the wing root.The vortexes generated by FSW have a strong downwash effect on the tail. The lower the vertical position of FSW, the stronger the downwash effect on tail. Therefore, the effective angle of attack of tail becomes smaller. In addition, the lift coefficient, drag coefficient and lift–drag ratio of tail decrease, and the center of pressure of tail moves backward gradually. For the whole aircraft,the lower the vertical position of FSW, the smaller lift, drag and center of pressure coefficients of aircraft. The closer the FSW moves towards tail, the bigger pitching moment and center of pressure coefficients of the whole aircraft, but the lift and drag characteristics of the horizontal tail and the whole aircraft are basically unchanged. The results have potential application for the design of new concept aircraft.     

临近空间太阳能飞行器横航向稳定性

临近空间太阳能飞行器的横航向气动导数和质量特性与常规飞行器存在显著差异,其横航向模态具有不同于常规飞行器的特点。理论分析表明,临近空间太阳能飞行器滚转交感动导数较大,偏航阻尼动导数较小,导致螺旋模态发散;航向气动阻尼力矩和惯性力矩之比较大,因而荷兰滚模态阻尼比较大。为解决常规线性化动力学模型无法体现风场影响的问题,以地速在机体坐标系中的投影作为状态变量,建立了考虑风场影响、适用于地速为0 m/s状态的线性化横航向动力学模型。利用此模型分析了临近空间太阳能飞行器在水平风和垂直风中的横航向稳定性。分析结果表明,稳定风场对横航向模态特征根无影响,但会导致横航向模态特征矢量发生改变。建立的动力学模型可用于此类飞行器的动力学分析和仿真。