Rotating target imaging algorithm based on the projection-slice theorem

In inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging, moving targets can be seen as turntable targets after motion compensation, and therefore the analysis of rotating-target imaging theory and its performance is of great significance. In the beginning, the echo model of turntable targets is established according to the theory of motion relativity. With the help of computerized tomography imaging technique, the turntable targets imaging formula based on the projection-slice theorem is deduced in detail, and then three specific algorithms are derived, of which are the double integration algorithm, the polar format algorithm (PFA) and the convolution back projection algorithm (CBPA), respectively. Meanwhile it is indicated that far field approximation is the key of projection-slice theorem for being applied to the turntable targets imaging. In the end, the two dimensional reconstruction of target scattering centers is realized by the MATLAB simulation, and the three algorithms are analyzed and compared from the aspects of applicability and imaging performance. The result obtained is able to provide the rationale for algorithm selection in various imaging requirements in practice.