A three-dimensional high resolution, scale model UHF ISAR imaging system

In this thesis, anew experimental technique capable of producing 3D high resolution UHF SAR imagery of arbitrary tactical scenes is presented. This capability has been sought in response to the development of advanced UHF SAR systems over the past fifteen years. Though their performance far-exceeds that of legacy UHF radar systems, the ability to phenomenologically study the characteristics of wide-band/wide-angle UHF SAR imagery using these advanced radar systems is limited. In this work, the principles of electromagnetic similitude were exploited to overcome these limitations in order to generate ultra-high resolution 3D UHF SAR imagery. To achieve this capability, scale model UHF radar signatures were collected by means of a 6--18 GHz microwave compact radar range. Radar signatures of dimensionally and dielectrically scaled targets were measured in the compact range to model the backscatter of the full-size target at UHF wavelengths. A system model and design aspects of the microwave compact radar range and tranceiver hardware are presented. Development of a unique 3D wide-band/wide-angle ISAR image processor is also presented. System diagnostics are introduced to demonstrate the fidelity of the UHF radar signature data and imagery. Finally, 3D UHF ISAR imagery generated from a radar data collection of a 1/35th scale model M1A1 Abrams main battle tank, demonstrating sub-wavelength resolution, is examined. The novel utility afforded by the experimental technique is demonstrated through the ability to pinpoint major target identifying/scattering features in the 3D high resolution UHF SAR imagery of the main battle tank.