Optimal sensor positioning for ISAR imaging

ISAR imaging is a powerful signal processing that allows obtaining images of non-cooperative targets. Such images are often used as input to classification and recognition systems since they contain useful two-dimensional features. Nevertheless, the interpretation of ISAR images remains problematic since the image plane cannot be defined by the user but it depends on the target´s own motions and on the relative position of it with respect to the radar. In this scenario, the only degree of freedom that is controlled by the user is the position of the sensor. In this paper, the problem of selecting an optimal position of the sensor to maximise the probability of obtaining a desired image projection plane is addressed. Moreover, mathematical tools are derived that may assist the user in deciding where to place an ISAR sensor given a priori knowledge of the scenario.