volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

Inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) images represent the two-dimensional (2-D) spatial distribution of the radar cross-section (RCS) of an object and, thus, they can be applied to the problem of target identification. The traditional approach to ISAR imaging is the range-Doppler algorithm based on the 2-D Fourier transform. However, the 2-D Fourier transform often results in poor resolution ISAR images, especially when the measured frequency bandwidth and angular region are limited. Instead of the Fourier transform, high resolution spectral estimation techniques can be adopted to improve the resolution of ISAR images. These are the autoregressive (AR) model, multiple signal classification (MUSIC), and matrix enhancement and matrix pencil MUSIC (MEMP-MUSIC). In this study, the ISAR images from these high-resolution spectral estimators, as well as the FFT approach, are identified using a recently developed identification algorithm based on the polar mapping of ISAR images. In addition, each ISAR imaging algorithm is analyzed and compared in the framework of radar target identification. The results show that the dynamic range as well as the resolution of the ISAR images plays an important role in the identification performance. Moreover, the optimum size of the subarray (i.e. covariance matrix) for MUSIC and MEMP-MUSIC in terms of target identification is experimentally derived.

1. Li, H. J. and V. Chiou, "Aerospace target identification-comparison between the matching score approach and the neural network approach," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, Vol. 7, No. 6, 873-893, 1993.
doi:10.1163/156939393X00921 Google Scholar

2. Kim, K.-T., D.-K. Seo, and H.-T. Kim, "Efficient radar target recognition using the MUSIC algorithm and invariant features," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 50, No. 3, 325-327, Mar. 2002.
doi:10.1109/8.999623 Google Scholar

3. Li, H. J. and S. H. Yang, "Using range profiles as feature vectors to identify aerospace targets," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 41, 261-268, Mar. 1993.
doi:10.1109/8.233138 Google Scholar

4. Musman, S., D. Kerr, and C. Bachmann, "Automatic recognition of ISAR ship images," IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, Vol. 32, 1392-1404, Oct. 1996. Google Scholar

5. Kim, K.-T., D.-K. Seo, and H.-T. Kim, "Efficient classification of ISAR images," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 53, 1611-1621, May 2005. Google Scholar

6. Li, H. J. and K. M. Li, "Application of wavelet transform in target identification," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 12, 57-73, 1996. Google Scholar

7. Seo, D.-K., K.-T. Kim, I.-S. Choi, and H.-T. Kim, "Wide-angle radar target recognition with subclass concept," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 44, 231-248, 2004.
doi:10.2528/PIER03060301 Google Scholar

8. Jeong, J.-H., H.-T. Kim, and K.-T. Kim, "Comparisons of four feature extraction approaches based on fisher's linear discriminant criterion in radar target recognition," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, Vol. 21, No. 2, 251-265, Jan. 2007.
doi:10.1163/156939307779378781 Google Scholar

9. Park, S.-H., K.-K. Park, J.-H. Jung, H.-T. Kim, and K.-T. Kim, "Construction of training database based on high frequency RCS prediction methods for ATR," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, Vol. 22, No. 5-6, 693-703, 2008.
doi:10.1163/156939308784159390 Google Scholar

10. Rothwell, E., D. P. Nyquist, K. M. Chen, and B. Drachman, "Radar target discrimination using the extinction-pulse technique," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 33, 929-937, Sep. 1985.
doi:10.1109/TAP.1985.1143697 Google Scholar

11. Chen, K. M., D. P. Nyquist, E. J. Rothwell, L. L. Webb, and B. Drachman, "Radar target discrimination by convolution of radar returns with extinction pulses and single-mode extraction signals," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 34, 896-904, Jul. 1986. Google Scholar

12. Moony, J. E., Z. Ding, and L. S. Riggs, "Robust target identification in white Gaussian noise for ultra wide-band radar systems," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 46, 1817-1823, Dec. 1998.
doi:10.1109/8.743818 Google Scholar

13. Toribio, R., J. Saillard, and P. Pouliguen, "Identification of radar targets in resonance zone: E-pulse techniques," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 43, 39-58, 2003.
doi:10.2528/PIER02100201 Google Scholar

14. Moghaddar, A. and E. K. Walton, "Time-frequency distribution analysis of scattering from waveguide cavities," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 41, 677-680, May 1993.
doi:10.1109/8.222287 Google Scholar

15. Trintinalia, L. C. and H. Ling, "Interpretation of scattering phenomenology in slotted waveguide structures via time-frequency processing," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 43, 1253-1261, Nov. 1995. Google Scholar

16. Kim, H. and H. Ling, "Wavelet analysis of radar echo from finite-sized targets," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 41, 200-207, Feb. 1993.
doi:10.1109/8.214611 Google Scholar

17. Lazarov, A. D., M. Martorella, and C. Minchev, "Three dimensional Barker's ISAR signal and image reconstruction," IEEE Radar Conference, RADAR'08, 1-6, Rome, Italy, May 26-30, 2008. Google Scholar

18. Jeong, H.-R., H.-T. Kim, and K.-T. Kim, "Application of subarray averaging and entropy minimization algorithm to stepped-frequency ISAR autofocus," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 56, No. 4, 1144-1154, Apr. 2008.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2008.919208 Google Scholar

19. Park, S.-H., K.-K. Park, J.-H. Jung, H.-T. Kim, and K.-T. Kim, "ISAR imaging of multiple targets using edge detection and hough transform," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, Vol. 22, No. 2-3, 365-373, 2008.
doi:10.1163/156939308784160622 Google Scholar

20. Park, S.-H., H.-T. Kim, and K.-T. Kim, "Stepped-frequency isar motion compensation using particle swarm optimization with an island model," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 85, 25-37, 2008.
doi:10.2528/PIER08082107 Google Scholar

21. Choi, G.-G., S.-H. Park, H.-T. Kim, and K.-T. Kim, "ISAR imaging of multiple targets based on particle swarm optimization and hough transform," Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications, Vol. 23, 1825-1834, 2009.
doi:10.1163/156939309789932322 Google Scholar

22. Park, S.-H., H.-T. Kim, and K.-T. Kim, "Segmentation of ISAR images of targets moving in formation," IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Vol. 48, No. 4, Apr. 2010. Google Scholar

23. Cao, P., M. Xing, G. Sun, Y. Li, and Z. Bao, "Minimum entropy via subspace for ISAR autofocus," IEEE Geoscience and Remotec Sensing Letters, Vol. 7, 205-209, 2010.
doi:10.1109/LGRS.2009.2031658 Google Scholar

24. Stoica, P. and R. L. Moses, Introduction to Spectral Analysis, Prentice-Hall, 1997.

25. Barabell, A. J., "Improving the resolution performance of eigenstructure-based direction-finding algorithms," Proceedings of the International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing, 336-339, Boston, MA, 1983. Google Scholar

26. Roy, R. and T. Kailath, "ESPRIT-estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques," IEEE Transactions on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing, Vol. 37, 984-995, Jul. 1989. Google Scholar

27. Gupta, I. J., "High resolution radar imaging using 2-D linear prediction," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 42, 31-37, Jan. 1994.
doi:10.1109/8.272298 Google Scholar

28. Kim, K.-T., S.-W. Kim, and H.-T. Kim, "Two-dimensional ISAR imaging using full polarization and super-resolution processing techniques," IEE Proceedings Radar, Sonar, and Navigation, Vol. 145, 240-246, Aug. 1998.
doi:10.1049/ip-rsn:19982033 Google Scholar

29. Odendaal, J. W., E. Barnard, and C. W. I. Pistorius, "Two-dimensional superresolution radar imaging using the MUSIC algorithm," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 42, 1386-1391, Oct. 1994. Google Scholar

30. Hua, Y., "Estimating two-dimensional frequencies by matrix enhancement and matrix pencil," IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, Vol. 40, 2267-2280, Sep. 1992.
doi:10.1109/78.157226 Google Scholar

31. Duda, R. O., P. E. Hart, and D. G. Stork, Pattern Classification, 2 Ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001.

32. Theodoridis, S. and K. Koutroumbas, Pattern Recognition, Academic Press, 1999.

33. Lee, K.-C., J.-S. Ou, and M.-C. Fang, "Application of svd noise-reduction technique to PCA based radar target recognition," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 81, 447-459, 2008.
doi:10.2528/PIER08032101 Google Scholar

34. Huang, C.-W. and K.-C. Lee, "Application of ica technique to PCA based radar target recognition," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 105, 157-170, 2010.
doi:10.2528/PIER10042305 Google Scholar

Dr. Jong-Il Park

Prof. Kyung-Tae Kim