Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) Technology Components

Synthetic aperture radars (SAR) can be used to create imagery for detection and classifying stationary ground vehicles. But when the vehicles are moving, they are distorted in the SAR imagery and thus cannot be recognized. High resolution MTI radars can be used to obtain range profiles of moving ground vehicles for use in classification. In similar fashion, it may be possible to obtain high-resolution profiles of moving ground vehicles which are illuminated by SAR radar, while at the same time, SAR imagery is generated. This will allow for the ability to detect and classify both stationary and moving vehicles illuminated by the radar. We propose to investigate the feasibility of using the illumination of moving ground vehicles by SAR radar for the propose of obtaining range profiles. We have performed a systems analysis of this concept, showing a significant advantage for an architecture which assumes that radars can operate in this fashion. In Phase I, we propose to determine the feasibility of this assumption and to generate prototype algorithms for performing the required operations.