Joint Localization and Tracking Method for BiSAR-GMTI via Transmitter–Receiver Trajectories Extraction and Inversion

Localization and tracking are important components for ground-moving target indication (GMTI). The traditional range-Doppler (RD) localization model is always applied to locate stationary targets in bistatic synthetic aperture radar (BiSAR). However, for moving targets, this localization model is no longer applicable due to the strong coupling of position and velocity with Doppler frequency. To address the severe challenge, this article proposes a joint moving target localization and tracking method for BiSAR-GMTI via transmitter–receiver trajectories extraction and inversion. The key innovation is the derivation of closed-form localization results for moving targets, which is beneficial for the quantitative analysis of localization error. The proposed method is structured into three main parts. First, to accurately capture the range history trajectory information, a segmented fitting extraction and inversion framework is designed. Second, to estimate the moving target’s initial state and demonstrate localization observability, joint range localization equations are established where the closed-form localization result of the moving target is derived. Finally, by defining the appropriate state transition equation and observation equation, and incorporating particle filtering (PF), the position measurement errors of bistatic platforms are weakened, and accurate tracking of moving targets is realized. The proposed method only utilizes range information, mitigating localization errors caused by Doppler estimation inaccuracies effectively. Simulation experiments and real data both demonstrate the localization and tracking accuracy of moving targets.