ISAR imaging algorithm for targets with the complex motion based on the high-order ambiguity function-Lv's distribution

In ISAR imaging for targets with the complex motion, since the azimuth high order phase terms caused by the time-varying rotation vector will deteriorate the azimuth focusing quality, the traditional RD algorithm and LFM model are not appropriate. Thereby, in the case when the received signal can be modeled as cubic phase signals (CPSs), this paper proposes an ISAR imaging algorithm based on HAF-LVD (high-order ambiguity function-Lv's distribution). First, this algorithm defines a novel double lag parametric instantaneous autocorrelation function, and then applies the scaling operator to remove the coupling and utilizes FFT to achieve the energy accumulation. Finally, the non-searching estimation of the moving parameter and the ISAR images for targets are accomplished by the obtained HAF-LVD. Because of the introduction of the scaling factor, this algorithm can flexibly deal with more changeful and hostile ISAR environment without loss of the anti-noise performance and computational efficiency. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the ISAR imaging approach.