Precession feature analysis of ballistic targets by FMCW-ISAR

Precession is a typical kind of micro-motion of space targets such as ballistic targets. It has considerable significance to analyze the precession feature of ballistic targets in space target recognition and classification applications. A new idea using FMCW-ISAR (frequency modulation continuous wave-inverse synthetic aperture radar) system to extract micromotion features is presented in this paper, which opens up a new road for precession feature analysis. FMCW-ISAR system is consecutively transmitting and receiving signals, which gives it an advantage over traditional pulse radar systems on precession parameter estimation, especially in the case of high precession angular velocity. In this paper, a cone-shaped ballistic target model is set up, and theoretical analysis for basic precession feature extraction using a FMCW-ISAR system is discussed for the first time. The preliminary simulation results validate the theoretical analysis conclusions.