Acquisition and Analysis of X-Band Moving Target Signature Data Using a 160 GHz Compact Range

摘要

Acquisition of full-polarimetric millimeter-wave, or microwave, moving target signature sets sufficient for developing ATR algorithms have proven to be costly and difficult to achieve operationally. Thorough investigations involving moving targets are often hindered by the lack of rigorously consistent signature data for a sufficient number of targets across requisite viewing angles, articulations and environmental conditions. Under the support of DARPA's TRUMPETS (through Mission Research Corporation) and AMSTE programs in conjunction with the US Army National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC), X-band far-field turntable signature data has been acquired on 1/16th scaled models of the Bradley and BTR-70 vehicles specifically constructed for moving target investigations using ERADS 160 GHz fully polarimetric compact range. The tracks/wheels of the scale models were translated incrementally as the radar's transmit frequency was stepped across a 10.5 GHz bandwidth. By acquiring a full frequency sweep at each track/wheel position with appropriate translation resolution, HRR RCS profiles of doppler-shifted body/track components were generated. HRR profiles of the equivalent stationary vehicle were also generated for analysis using the vehicle's HRR profiles for any given track position.