Review of Radar Characteristics and Sensing Technologies of Distributed Soft Target

Abstract

Distributed soft target refers to nonrigid target or a target group with wide distribution range, time-varying spatial distribution, or internal relative motion. This type of target is currently attracting considerable interest in the radar field, and the research on its radar characteristics and sensing technology is a typical interdisciplinary problem. To help the radar technicians better understand the related technologies, this study introduces the dynamics, scattering/transmission, radar characteristics, detection, and parameter retrieval of this type of target in continuous and discrete forms, as regards the positive and inverse problems. Considering the aircraft wake vortex as an example, the radar characteristics and sensing technology of this type of target are illustrated, which can serve as a good reference for the development of related radar detection technologies.

Keywords

• distributed soft target
• lidar
• radar
• radar characteristics
• parameter retrieval
• aircraft wake vortex