Waveform design method under dual constraints for radar imaging

Abstract

This study focuses on the cognitive waveform optimisation for radar imaging. Classical cognitive waveform optimisation methods could degrade the point spread function and affect the imaging quality. To achieve high imaging quality, a waveform optimisation method maximising the receiving signal-to-clutter ratio under dual constraints including transmitting energy constraint and range profile constraint is designed. The proposed method is based on the response power ratio between a target and clutter, without the requirement of the precise prior knowledge about target and clutter response models. Combined with the shadow ghost mitigation in the through-wall-imaging radar (TWIR) imaging application, implementation of the proposed method is discussed. Simulations predict the performance of the proposed method, and through-wall imaging experiments were conducted, employing an ultra-wideband stepped frequency continuous waveform TWIR, and indicate that the proposed method can efficiently suppress the shadow ghosts in radar images, and simultaneously guarantee the imaging quality.