Feature-based representation of non-identical false radar signatures

Problem statement. Generating false targets resembling the radar signatures of real objects requires reproducing not only the shape and intensity structure of the source target but also its associated radar shadow. Copying the source target and generating identical false objects reduce the effectiveness of false-target employment. A mismatch between an artificial object and its shadow, or the absence of a shadow, also adversely affects the observation results. Therefore, the parameters of false targets need to be varied to prevent the generated signatures from being identical. At the same time, feature variations must be kept within strictly defined limits to avoid unacceptable deviations from the source object.

Objective. To develop a method for generating a set of non-identical false radar signatures from an initial radar image of a real object, ensuring controlled preservation of its features and the generation of a consistent radar shadow.

Results. An approach to generating non-identical false signatures as “target–shadow” pairs, each comprising a target region and a shadow region, is proposed. Target and shadow feature vectors, together with a feature-preservation control vector, are introduced, and admissible feature-variation intervals are defined. A procedure for generating a set of non-identical signatures with consistent shadows is developed. A composite correspondence criterion is proposed that characterizes both the deviation of a false target from the source object and the consistency of its radar shadow.

Practical significance. The proposed method can be used for radar-scene simulation and for preparing simulated radar images containing several different signatures of objects of the same type. Requirements for the generated “target–shadow” pairs are specified at the radar-image level. Physical implementation and experimental evaluation of their effects on synthetic aperture radar systems are beyond the scope of this study.