SBIR-STTR Award

Goleta Engineering (GE) proposes to start with and build upon prior and on-going efforts such as the ONR ACTIVE and the DARPA MSTAR programs to develop a robust ISAR ATR capability for USN platforms such as the APY-6, APS-137, APG-73, and JSF. The proposed Phase I effort will focus on two areas: (1) improved image formation processing using advanced signal based mocomp, time-frequency algorithms and possibly super res, and (2) robust feature extraction for subsequent ATR based upon retention of the phase in the processed image. During Phase I we will pursue teaming arrangements with one or more partners to be selected from MIT/LL, Norden, ERIM and Raytheon McKinney. GE has just successfully completed a program to develop a robust 2-D Signal Based Mocomp approach utilizing APS-137 B(V)5 radar data provided by Raytheon McKinney TX. Further, GE is currently working with ERIM to develop a robust motion-tolerant efficient image formation algorithm. These two efforts will directly assist in the first part of the proposed effort. The teaming partner(s) will be selected, contracted with and utilized during Phase I. GE will then work with the selected partner(s) to develop the features, feature extraction and ATR algorithms.

Benefits:
This proposed effort will develop a robust capability for image formation, feature extraction and target classification for a wide range of moving targets including maneuvering aircraft, small ships at sea and ground vehicles. This result will be applicable to USN radars including the APY-6, APS-137, APG-73 and JSF as well as to other DARPA and USAF radars.

Keywords:
Moving Target Imaging (MTIm) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Inverse Synth Aperture Radar (ISAR) Motion Compensation (Mocomp) Feature Extraction Target Classification Non-Cooperative Target ID (NCTI) Automatic Target Recognition (ATR)