Research on Helicopter-borne MIMO Microwave Imaging Technology Based on Arc Antenna Array

Abstract

This study proposes a novel Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) microwave imaging mode based on arc antenna array, which is mounted on the belly of platform. In this mode, an arc aperture is quickly synthesized using an MIMO. Consequently, high space and time resolution images of the illuminated scene around the platform are acquired. First, an imaging principle model based on arc antenna array is described, and its signal model is developed. Then, an imaging algorithm based on confocal projection is discussed and the performance of the mode is analyzed. Finally, the feasibility of the imaging mode and the validity of the proposed algorithm are demonstrated with a numerical simulation.

Keywords

• Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)
• Microwave imaging
• Arc antenna array
• Confocal projection