Earth-Based Radar Height Dimension Imaging for Astronomical Object

Observation for astronomical object, including the moon, asteroids, and terrestrial planets, is of significance in deep space observation. Earth-based radar is an important approach for astronomical object observation. Earth-based radar has the ability of two-dimensional (2-D) imaging for astronomical objects. However, earth-based radar height dimension imaging for astronomocal object has not been reported yet. In this manuscript, the analysis of earth-based radar height dimension imaging for astronomical object is discussed. The relative motion between earth-based radar and astronomical object is analyzed, and the sparse height sampling of radar is discussed. Thereafter the problem of sidelobe and grating lobe in height dimension imaging is discussed, and a data domain-image domain joint windowing method is proposed for sidelobe and grating lobe suppression. Computer simulation experiment and real data equivalent experiment with electromagnetic anechoic chamber are conducted to validate the analysis and the proposed method.