Forward-Looking Radar Imaging: A Comparison of Two Data Processing Strategies

This paper aims at comparing the conventional backpropagation algorithm and a microwave tomographic approach in the framework of forward-looking ground-penetrating radar imaging. The reconstruction capabilities of both methods are investigated in terms of achievable resolution limits for a sensing configuration similar to the Synchronous Impulse Reconstruction radar developed at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory. Furthermore, reconstruction results obtained by processing full-wave simulated data are shown with the goal of comparing the capability of both methods to detect buried and surface targets in scenarios emulating realistic operation conditions.