Abstract

RF photonics has emerged as a powerful tool for measuring the reflection cross section of complex and large electromagnetic structures. In this study, we have developed a comprehensive theoretical framework and a novel inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) image processing algorithm that can accurately emulate ISAR images. To validate the effectiveness of our approach, we conducted proof-of-concept measurements on a 3D Nanoscribe printed ship model using a benchtop measurement system. By processing the captured baseband signals from the coherent optical receiver, we successfully constructed the first motion-compensated optical ISAR image. The motion-compensation algorithm we employed allowed for longer coherent processing time, which resulted in better cross-range resolution and a sharper image.