Micro-Doppler signature-based vibration analysis in InISAR image for maritime vessel classification

Navy seeks an addition of vibration information into vessel classification, with the micro-Doppler signature from Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) images. Currently ISAR image of the ship is processed for information on roll, pitch and yaw rotation and does not reflect the other important differences between individual ships, such as hull types, building materials, propulsion system types, etc. To address this critical need, X-Wave Innovations, Inc. (XII), partnered with University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), proposes an interferometric ISAR (InISAR) system for ship hull and superstructure vibration sensing. The micro-Doppler signature extracted from the InISAR images, is synthesized with InISAR images and processed with multi-stage supervised machine-learning algorithm to improve the classification of the ship. Combined with current measurement data, the proposed system can automatically provide the vibration characteristic of the ship, and greatly improve the ship classification and recognition. The proposed approach is based on XII and UTD’s successful experience in developing ISAR and InISAR image-based ship recognition system and low frequency vibration detection with millimeter wave signal processing. It’s our goal to extend the capabilities of our technology to overcome the challenge of vibration information extraction through this STTR effort.