HIGH RESOLUTION NONCOHERENT RADAR IMAGER

In accordance with a first arrangement, a non-coherent, pulse radar transmitter emits N-sequential signals of differing frequencies at predetermined time intervals, the transmitted pulses being directed toward a given target area of interest. Further included is a radar receiver for detecting and processing the composite radar return signal samples of N differing frequencies which are reflected from a plurality of point scatterers located in the area of interest. The varying D.C. interference signal of the plural radar return signal samples occasioned by the differing frequencies are detected and a one-dimensional Fourier transformer is performed on that composite radar return signal samples to facilitate target identification. A programmed processor is used to dervie a plurality of feature characteristics from the Fourier transform of the detected radar return signals and the features so computed are compared with features characteristic of known potential targets on a best-match basis. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, a system is provided which can extract two-dimensional, high-resolution information from radar return signals in which the non-coherent pulse radar means is moved from one location to another with respect to a target area of interest while transmitting N-sequential signals of differing frequencies at predetermined time intervals. The radar receiver is positioned to detect and range gate composite radar return signal samples reflected from a plurality of point scatterers and once a time varying D.C. interference signal is detected, a two-dimensional Fourier transformation is performed on that composite signal.