Adaptive Beamforming Algorithms for High Resolution Microwave Imaging

摘要

Two types of algorithms for self calibrating distorted antenna arrays arepresented and evaluated. Both successfully convert badly distorted phased arrays into diffraction-limited systems. One group is called the dominant scatterer class; each of the several algorithms in this class develops a correction weight vector from the radar echoes of one or more scatterers having large radar cross section. The second is the spatial correlation class. This group of algorithms determines the weight vector from the spatial correlation function of the measured radiation field from targets and clutter. Tests are conducted with simulation and with high resolution radar data of airborne and ground based targets. The spatial correlation algorithms are less sensitive to the source distribution (targets and clutter locations) and therefore are preferred for a general radar environment. These algorithms require more computation than those based upon dominant scatterers. Relative computation times are measured and presented.