Impulse Synthetic Aperture Radar: Through-the-wall and Underground Imaging

Summary

Eureka Aerospace’s high-resolution ImpSAR system is capable of day/night, all-weather, near real-time detection and identification of various targets behind different types of walls, as well as localization and mapping of underground structures and mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), bunkers, and caves containing hostile subjects.
Moreover, we are actively developing and experimentally validating ImpSAR capability to generate 3D stereometric images. When equipped with a new type of antennas (also developed in-house), ImpSAR system is compact, lightweight, and is well suited for integration into a ground vehicle or a UAV-based platform operating at distances in excess of hundreds of meters.

Problem Background

The ability to “see” through walls in urban warfare and peacekeeping operations is of paramount importance. No technology currently exists to remotely and reliably identify or even detect static inanimate objects (e.g., tables, file cabinets, etc.) or people inside buildings at reasonably large standoff distances. Moreover, no technology currently exists for remote determination of building layouts such as the position of walls, doors, etc., so as to yield reasonably accurate floor plans of the building structure.
Sensing through building walls, particularly exterior-grade walls, using standard continuous wave radar/microwaves, presents a challenge due to: (1) appreciable amount of signal attenuation, and (2) signal distortions due to dispersive effects of the media, caused primarily by the conductivity of the wall due to presence of moisture or metallic structures such as rebar. Moreover, interference caused by multi-wall, multi-path effects results in the presence of unwanted clutter, thus decreasing overall signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) and complicating the target detection and identification process.