Resonance analysis for fixed object detection and declaration

A vehicle-mounted radar testbed has been developed to detect, locate and estimate the parameters of symmetrical objects on the ground or under cover. This radar isolates (gates in time, filters in frequency) the late-time resonant returns from the skin response of objects. Late-time returns are caused by resonant currents induced on an object as the incident radar waveform impinges upon the object. Multiple observations of the late time response are captured and coherently integrated as the vehicle passes in proximity to the scene containing objects under test. The resonant frequencies of the late-time returns are only a function of the shape of the object, and are independent of viewing angle. Manmade objects have clearly exploitable resonances not observed in naturally occurring clutter returns.