Moving target detection in foliage using along track monopulse synthetic aperture radar imaging

This paper presents a method for detecting moving targets embedded in foliage from the monostatic and bistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data obtained via two airborne radars. The two radars, which are mounted on the same aircraft, have different coordinates in the along track (cross-range) domain. However, unlike the interferometric SAR systems used for topographic mapping, the two radars possess a common range and altitude (i.e., slant range). The resultant monopulse SAR images are used to construct difference and interferometric images for moving target detection. It is shown that the signatures of the stationary targets are weakened in these images. Methods for estimating a moving target’s motion parameters are discussed. Results for an ultrawideband UHF SAR system are presented.