Discrete 2-D system identification for ISAR imaging

This paper addresses the problem of generating 2-D inverse synthetic aperture radar images of isolated targets through signal processing of radar reflectivity data. A new approach is based on system identification theory and a solution for obtaining an image estimate is described. The authors assume that there is an image of the target consisting of a finite array of pixels, each with a magnitude and phase, to be determined. They develop a mathematical model for the processes of transmitting a radar signal to the rotating target (image), and sampling the reflected signal in the receiver. The problem is developed in a matrix framework so that the maximum likelihood estimate of the image array can be found. The paper includes a very brief description of how the system identification approach to imaging is formulated and the solution derived, followed by some experimental results and a concise conclusion.