Analysis of ATR features for non-cooperative ground-based classification of ships

Measurements were taken at 17 GHz of a ship that was first approaching the coast-based radar and then followed a circular course between 6km and 7km distance. It is demonstrated how the high range resolution profile of the ship and consequently any ATR (automatic target recognition) classification features derived therefrom are modified by multipath as a function of range and aspect angle. For comparison, the TERPEM software is used to simulate the effect and analyse it in a more controlled way.