Target detection and tracking with HF radar using ISAR techniques

Sustained research and development at Memorial University has led to an operational high frequency ground wave radar (HF-GWR) system for coastal surveillance. This radar system has demonstrated over-the-horizon detection of targets such as vessels, ice hazards and low-flying aircraft, and performed ocean parameter measurements over a large area. The development of offshore hydrocarbon production in ice infested regions is an urgent requirement for the long range detection and tracking of icebergs but, due to space restrictions, a rig- or ship-based system can only accommodate a compact antenna array. The uniform trajectory and low velocity of icebergs is ideal for inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) processing with long target dwell times. The proven ice detection capability of HF-GWR systems, coupled with the compact antennas based on the ISAR technique, can be used to develop a rig- or ship-based all-weather surveillance device for ice hazards. It is also anticipated that the results of this research will allow the use of shorter antenna arrays for many other applications. Preliminary results using real data from the operational HF-GWR system are presented.