Algorithm for airborne forward-looking imaging radar based on multiple input multiple output antenna array

Forward-looking imaging has many potential applications, such as self-navigation and self-landing in bad weather. Due to the low azimuth resolution and range migration ambiguity, conventional monostatic synthetic aperture radar(SAR) can not image in forward-looking model. In order to make SAR work in forward-looking mode, a linear array which is composed of a single transmitting and multiple receiving antennas is used. The linear array SAR works in a sequential transmit and receive mode to simulate conventional SAR on the azimuth direction. However, the improved SAR has its disadvantages, such as the number of antennas is large and long data acquisition time, also low azimuth resolution compared with conventional SAR. This paper use multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna array for airborne forward-looking imaging, making the problems mentioned above can be solved easily, then deduces imaging algorithm for airborne forward-looking imaging radar based on MIMO antenna array by combining Chirp Scaling algorithm and Digital Beam Forming technique. Finally, numerical simulation is used to validate the proposed algorithm and processing approach. The simulation is based on real flight parameters. ©, 2015, Chinese Research Institute of Radiowave Propagation. All right reserved.