High-resolution imaging of aerial rigid targets from sparse angle radar data

In this paper, a coherent processing method for sparse angle radar data is proposed. First, suitable pairs of azimuth data between sparse angle sectors are chosen for coherent processing. Then we use de-noising cross-correlation algorithm and statistical method to obtain phase incoherent parameters (ICP) between sparse angle data. After compensating the phase ICP, a coherence function is defined to achieve amplitude ICP. Finally, data interpolation and extrapolation via two-dimensional gapped-data state space approach (2-D GSSA) are applied to sparse angle data and high-resolution imaging of the targets is achieved. The method is especially useful for sparse angle sectors with small gaps. Experimental results demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of the proposed method.