Range doppler imaging for LFMCW ISAR based on azimuth interpolation

ISAR is a kind of radar for obtaining two dimensional high resolution image of moving target. In the past, ISAR techniques with LFM pulsed signal has been studied deeply. Now, because of the requirement of low-cost, low weight and low powered, LFMCW signal is used in ISAR. This paper has investigated the imaging method of LFMCW ISAR. The problem of ISAR image formation using LFMCW ISAR has been studied in detail. Analyzing indicates that the echoes exist two dimensional coupling. Using the traditional RDA used in LFM pulsed ISAR for these data from LFMCW ISAR will produce position distortion. In order to correct this distortion, a new imaging method-azimuth interpolation RDA is presented. Simulation shows that the presented method is very effective.