Abstract: A dynamic optimization approach for superresolution range-doppler imaging is proposed in this paper. The basic idea of this approach is that it uses the regularized image reconstruction approach and the dynamic optimization algorithm to find out the least squares estimate of reflectivity of the radar target. The computing efficiency of the dynamic optimization algorithm ss greatly improved by using the FFT. The live data of a metalized scale model B-52 aircraft mounted on a rotating platform in a microwave chamber and a flying Boeing-727 air-craft were processed by the use of the superresolution imaging approach. Comparisons of imaging results with FFT-RD approach are given and show that, by the use of the superresolution approach, either higher resolution images for the same effective bandwidth of transmitted signals and total rotation angle in imaging or equal quality images from small bandwidth and total rotation angle may be obtained. We have found that the dynamic optimization approach is hopeful to be able to provide even better resolution performance if more a priori information about the image region is utilized sufficiently.

Key words: radar imaging, superresolution processing, dynamic optimization, doppler radar, least squares method