First steps to bistatic focusing

TL;DR

This paper develops explicit methods for bistatic radar focusing using Loffeld's formula, validated through simulations for various configurations, including tandem and translationally invariant setups, with initial results for the general case.

Contribution

It introduces practical focusing algorithms based on theoretical derivations for bistatic configurations, including analytical solutions for tandem and TI cases, and discusses the general case.

Findings

Validation of Loffeld's formula for airborne and spaceborne configurations

Analytical focusing solution for tandem configuration

Blockwise processing approach for TI configuration

Abstract

Although this work is a bit theoretical and contains lots of derivations, it leads to very explicit practical results in bistatic focusing. Our approach is based on Loffelds bistatic formula describing the point targets reference spectrum for arbitrary bistatic configuration. Based on various simulations the validity of LBF for both airborne and spaceborne configurations is demonstrated. Focusing for special bistatic configurations like: Tandem and Translationally Invariant constellations is considered. The focusing for the Tandem configuration is solved analytically. Focusing in the TI case is realized by blockwise processing. All focusing algorithms are developed in IDL and adequate simulation results are presented. In the end of the paper outlines the conceptual solution of the most difficult bistatic General Case and presents some first focusing results.