On the Slow-Time <i>k</i>-Space and its Augmentation in Doppler Radar Tomography

Abstract

Doppler Radar Tomography (DRT) relies on spatial diversity from rotational motion of a target rather than spectral diversity from wide bandwidth signals. The slow-time k-space is a novel form of the spatial frequency space generated by the relative rotational motion of a target at a single radar frequency, which can be exploited for high-resolution target imaging by a narrowband radar with Doppler tomographic signal processing. This paper builds on a previously published work and demonstrates, with real experimental data, a unique and interesting characteristic of the slow-time k-space: it can be augmented and significantly enhance imaging resolution by signal processing. High resolution can reveal finer details in the image, providing more information to identify unknown targets detected by the radar.

Keywords

• slow-time <i>k</i>-space
• spatial frequency
• doppler radar tomography
• radar imaging
• <i>k</i>-space augmentation
• high-resolution narrowband radar