Synthetic Bistatic ISAR Imaging for Moving Targets With Prescribed Trajectories and Scattering Regimes: Validation With Passive Radar Data

The design of a bistatic inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) images simulator is described, as a response to the need of databases with classification purposes in bistatic radar scenarios characterized by numerous degrees of freedom. Main contributions are related to the use of 3-D target models and electromagnetic simulations adapted to the scattering regime defined by the operation frequency and target size. The simulation process is driven by target trajectory and dynamic parameters, being able to mimic the variation of incidence and observation angles in the bistatic planes as the target moves along the trajectory. The simulation approach combines MATLAB and ANSYS high frequency structure simulator tools. Shooting bouncing rays (SBR+) and full wave techniques are applied on 3-D computer-aided design models with specified materials. Passive radar data acquired under different geometries and opportunity illuminators for aerial and maritime targets are used for validation.