RANGE-DOPPLER IMAGING WITH MOTION THROUGH RESOLUTION CELLS

Doppler processing in pulsed radar is analyzed for time intervals which involve motion through range resolution cells, the emphasis being on the range-Doppler imaging of a rigid rotating body. The objective of the theory is to derive a method for compensating for motion through range and cross-range resolution cells. The compensation procedure described is compatible with optical data processing. With such a two-dimensional processor, the method permits simultaneous compensation for all points in the target field. The system consists of taking the Fourier transform in the range dimension, followed by a gentle distortion of this range-transform plane, and that followed by a two-dimensional Fourier transform. Two implementations with experimental results are briefly mentioned. One implementation is all optical and utilizes a holographic hyperbolic lens and/or holographic conical lens. The other implementation, involves applying the appropriate distortion electronically as the “range sweeps” from the pulse train are received and put on film. Copyright © 1969 by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.