Detection of stationary foliage-obscured targets by polarimetric millimeter-wave Radar

This paper introduces a technique to detect the presence of foliage-obscured targets using millimeter-wave radars operating at near-grazing incidence. Radar return from a scene where a target is concealed behind foliage consists of both foliage backscatter return and a polarimetrically distorted and reduced target return. A data acquisition and signal processing technique that takes advantage of temporal decorrelations in foliage is proposed to enhance target detection and resolve it from foliage. Furthermore, an inversion technique is proposed to remove the polarimetric distortions in the target response. The techniques are verified through a series of indoor and outdoor experiments.