Transient Scattering Echo Simulation and ISAR Imaging for a Composite Target-Ocean Scene Based on the TDSBR Method

We propose an inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging algorithm for a composite target-ocean scene based on time-domain shooting and bouncing rays (TDSBR) method. To do this, we develop the TDSBR method to simulate the electromagnetic scattering echoes from a composite target-ocean scene. Then, we derive the ISAR imaging formulas based on electromagnetic scattering field expressions. The demodulation, pulse compression, and azimuth inverse fast Fourier transform are performed on the scattering echo data to obtain ISAR images. Linear frequency modulation (LFM) pulses are usually used in traditional radar imaging. However, its long pulse width leads to more computation time for simulations. To increase efficiency, we replace LFM pulses with modulating Gaussian pulses. As a result, we modify the matched filter to achieve pulse compression under modulating Gaussian pulse excitations. Simulation results confirm that this proposed method improves efficiency while ensuring image quality. This proposed technique fully incorporates the electromagnetic scattering mechanism and is accurate. It effectively combines the electromagnetic scattering algorithm and the radar imaging algorithm. Finally, we present ISAR images simulated by this method. These results confirm the feasibility and efficiency of this technique.

Automated summary

In this study, an inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging algorithm is proposed for a composite target-ocean scene using the time-domain shooting and bouncing rays (TDSBR) method. The electromagnetic scattering echoes are simulated using the TDSBR method, and ISAR imaging formulas are derived based on the electromagnetic scattering field expressions. Furthermore, the proposed method replaces linear frequency modulation (LFM) pulses with modulating Gaussian pulses to improve efficiency.