Study on coding strategies for radar coded-aperture imaging in terahertz band

Abstract

Motivated by the principle of coded-aperture imaging and microwave radar coincidence imaging (RCI), terahertz radar coded-aperture imaging (RCAI) is proposed to obtain high-resolution, forward-looking, and staring imaging. The terahertz RCAI method resolves target scatterers using the correlation processing of the modulated echoes and the reference signal matrix. This process is similar to the basic principle of RCI. To investigate the coding strategies of terahertz RCAI, this study derives three signal models describing operation with the coded aperture placed separately in the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal and in both of them simultaneously. Furthermore, coding strategies are categorized according to coded-aperture placement and encoded signal, including amplitude modulation and phase modulation. In addition, qualitative and quantitative analysis methods are introduced to describe the resolving ability of terahertz RCAI. Numerical simulations are performed to analyze and compare the performance on different coding strategies. These analyses can provide constructive guidelines for the design of terahertz RCAI systems.