Hybrid electromagnetic models for the purpose of detection and identification of visually obscured targets

This thesis focuses on the application of radio waves for detection and recognition of visually obscured targets. To provide practical solutions, comprehensive forward and inverse models are needed to capture and exploit the physical phenomena involved. These models must accurately simulate wave propagation in the environment in which the target is imbedded, scattering from the target and wave interaction of the medium scatterers and the target. In this dissertation, two problems of major importance are investigated. The first problem is detection of complex targets camouflaged inside forest and the second problem pertains to imaging of building interiors and detection of targets within.; In the early chapters, a hybrid target-foliage model is developed to investigate the scattering behavior of hard targets embedded inside a forest canopy. This model is composed of two parts, one for foliage and the other for hard targets. The connection between these two models that accounts for the first-order interaction between the foliage scatterers and the target is accomplished through the application of the reciprocity theorem. The foliage penetration model is based on the coherent single scattering theory, developed previously. The target scattering model is based on either exact numerical finite difference time domain technique or high frequency asymptotic iterative physical optics approximation. Having the hybrid target-foliage model, a polarization synthesis optimization method for improving signal to clutter ratio is presented, using genetic algorithms.; In the later chapters, the problem of through-wall imaging using the synthetic aperture radar technique by employing ultra wideband antennas and scanning over a wide range of incidence angles is investigated. Theoretical and experimental studies on the effects of different walls on point target images are carried out and refocusing approaches are introduced to remove the wall effects and restore the image resolution. Electromagnetic models for computation of propagation through and scattering from cinder block walls and reinforced concrete walls are presented. A hybrid Ray tracing and finite difference time domain technique is given to compute transmissivity through cinder block walls and an approximate solution based on an analytic one-dimensional periodic Green's function is given for computation of scattering from reinforced concrete walls.