The development of interactive fly-through imaging and animation techniques for P-scope imaging radar simulation

Describes the development of a temporal forward scan mode air-to-ground imaging radar fly-through image simulation and animation software suite. Primary input data required is a three level ground truth database which includes terrain type, terrain elevation and target modeling information. This data, displayed in a pseudocolor image canvas provides the user with a visual simulation of the terrain which may be illuminated along any desired flight path. System simulation parameters controllable by the user include initial and final positions of radar, initial and final altitudes, ground range extent of swept footprint, antenna beam width, degrees of sweep, sensor depression angle, ground velocity, frame rate, range and cross range resolutions, transmit and receive polarizations and system center frequency. The number of final image frames in any user defined sequence depends in a straight forward manner on the initial and final x-y-z radar locations, radar ground speed and the frame rate. Individual image cross range extents and resolutions are controlled