Length Estimation of Ballistic Targets Based on Full-Polarization Range Profiles

Abstract

This study focuses on the length estimation of ballistic targets based on the full-polarization range profiles measured by the wideband full-polarization radar system. Firstly, the mathematical model of full-polarization range profiles is introduced, and the full-polarization range profiles characteristics of typical ballistic targets are analyzed by using the microwave anechoic chamber measurement data. Secondly, three methods are proposed for target length estimation based on single-channel detection synthesis, SPAN power synthesis and target characteristic polarization, respectively. Then, comparison experiments among the proposed methods are carried out. The results demonstrate that the extraction accuracy and the anti-noise performance of the method based on target characteristic polarization are better than the others. Furthermore, the influence of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on the length estimation is also discussed.