Hot-spot analysis of a large complex target from computed ISAR data

Abstract

Through computer modelling, a study was launched to investigate the radar across section (RCS) hot-spot characteristics on an electrically large complex radar target, such as a ship. The CAD model utilized here is known as the generic ship. For simplicity sake, the target utilized was assumed to be either static, or slow-moving and non-fluctuating, so that a standard inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging approach based on a Fourier transform procedure, could be utilized. This ISAR technique was applied to the computed monostatic RCS data of the CAD model, to obtain its RCS hot-spot behaviors. Results of cases modelled at low and high elevation incident angles are discussed, and compared with those of simple geometries.