Microwave Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging Using SFCW System for Buried Object Detection and Security Applications

Abstract

In this work, the step frequency continuous wave (SFCW) system using the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technique is proposed for near field microwave imaging applications. The use of SAR technique basically helps in providing improved cross-range or lateral resolution without placing a stringent condition on the antenna beam width. The SFCW system in the present situation is realized using an X band horn antenna, the vector network analyzer (VNA)and associated RF components. An automated 2-D scanner is employed for 2-D movement of the transceiver to collect the measured scattering data from different positions of the target. The proposed SAR technique is then applied to generate 2D and 3D images of the target in terms of the measured scattering data. It is observed that the application of the advanced SAR algorithm to the measured scattering data is able to generate more focused image of the target area as compared to the microwave image obtained using the raw scattering data. The applicability of the proposed technique is tested by detection of various types of metallic and plastic objects hidden behind the scene.