Development of two-dimensional target images from ultrawideband radar systems

摘要

Abstract: The development of ultrawideband radar systems has led to the production of echo waveforms with high resolution in range. The Valley Forge Research Center has studied the problem of extending this capability by adding the angular dimension to produce a 2-D image of the radar target. The system currently in use combines adaptive beamforming (ABF) phased array processing with a UWB radar to provide high resolution images of a variety of target configurations. The images were produced using the dominant scatterer ABF algorithm developed at VFRC over the past two decades. The tests were conducted at three frequencies (S, X and K$-u$/ bands) in order to allow diversity techniques to enhance the image quality. The formation of a monostatic synthetic aperture array with a 1 GHz bandwidth radar set allows the system to achieve a resolution of 15 cm. This permits fine detail to be observed on images of targets such as cars and trucks. Several examples will be presented. The development of resolution in the angular dimension adds significantly to the information content of the image over the traditional range profile display technique. Target classification becomes more reliable as more dimensions are added to the display. This will be demonstrated with images developed in the experimental program.!10