Synthetic Aperture Radar Processing in 2D and 3D Space Using Raised Cosine Transmitted Pulses

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to develop two and three dimensional simulated radar images using transmitted raised cosine pulse signals. Input data consists of elevation database information and an array of radar source locations. The transmitted signal is assumed to be an isotropic signal and interrogates each elevation point or scattering center in the database. Range time intensity methodologies are developed and simulated. In these simulations the raised cosine transmitted signal is transmitted and received at multiple locations on a circular path around a target. For each radar location the return data is processed to obtain range resolved signals. This data is then stacked and integrated to generate a two dimensional image. Three dimensional images are developed by experimenting with a variety of radar source patterns around a target center. In these experiments the radar source patterns tested will be concentric circular paths, single circular paths, random source locations, two parallel lines, and a grid. In these simulations, range return data will be stacked and slices of two dimensional returns will be processed at different heights to develop a stacked three dimensional image. These simulations are executed with the assumption that the radar source is moving as in traditional synthetic aperture radar applications. However, the methodology employed can also be utilized in inverse synthetic aperture radar applications in which the radar is stationary and the targets are moved.