Synthetic Aperture Radar Signal Processing with MATLAB Algorithms

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MONOPULSE SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR

Introduction

In this chapter we are going to study a more specialized SAR system whose roots can be found in the dual sensory human vision system. What is referred to as stereo vision is a dual sensory system that provides two maps of a scene from two different aspect angles. These two maps are fused to extract certain types of information that cannot be deduced from a single sensory map. The classical and natural example of a stereo system is the human visual system. The human brain uses the two images that are recorded by the eyes to form depth (three-dimensional) information regarding the surrounding objects. In recent years, dual cameras in conjunction with a processor (computer) have been used in a similar manner for artificial (e.g., robot) vision.

The utility of a dual or stereo sensory system in radar has been recognized since its inception. A well-known and practical stereo radar system is called a monopulse radar [leo; sher; sko]. This terminology originates from the manner in which the echoed data are collected in these systems. A monopulse radar is composed of a single transmitter that illuminates the target scene with a single bang, that is, a monopulse. The resultant echoed signals are recorded not only by the radar that produced the original bang but also by another radar receiver.

The spatial coordinates of the second radar receiver are different from those of the transmitting/receiving radar. Thus the echoed signals from the ...