Coherent averaging of range profiles

Abstract

Inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) images can be used for radar target classification. To achieve a suitable cross-range resolution in these ISAR images, a relative aspect change is required between the target and the radar. In many encounter scenarios this prerequisite aspect change is not available. In these cases a high resolution range profile (HRRP) must be used for target classification. This paper presents a coherent averaging algorithm which provides the best possible HRRP for a given radar dwell time. The resultant HRRP is thresholded with a CFAR technique. Coherent averaging is compared with non-coherent averaging and coherent averaging is found to provide HRRPs with a higher SNR.