FMCW Ice Sounding Radar Imaging Based on the Improved Range–Doppler Algorithm

To achieve efficient ice sheet detection, this study develops a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) ice sounding radar imaging algorithm. The proposed algorithm represents an improved range-Doppler algorithm (RDA) that can effectively handle multilayer medium imaging models and address the range migration variations caused by multilayer media. The theoretical analysis is conducted to explain the imaging principle of the proposed algorithm, and a detailed description of its processing flow is provided. Moreover, point target simulation experiments and actual data processing tests are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in ice sheet imaging. The proposed algorithm is also compared with the frequency scaling algorithm (FSA), which is a commonly used FMCW ice sounding radar imaging algorithm, in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and imaging time. The comparison results show that the proposed algorithm can improve imaging efficiency while maintaining accuracy.