Digital signal processing of scattering data from nonlinear targets

Powers et al. (1981) presented a conceptual model which makes it possible to characterize nonlinear scatterers in terms of a hierarchy of linear, quadratic, and cubic radar cross sections (RCS). The concept of nonlinear radar cross sections (NRCS) provides an approach to generalize the radar equation for a nonlinear target. The present investigation has the overall objective to present a review regarding the use of appropriate digital signal processing concepts to estimate the nonlinear radar cross sections given the incident and scattered signals. It is pointed out that knowledge of such cross sections can provide additional signature information by which nonlinear targets may be identified and classified.