Radar-based automatic target recognition (ATR) experiments rely on accurate and repeatable synthetic aperture radar (SAR) measurements performed in an anechoic chamber. Yet, the chamber poses challenges to joint electro-optic (EO) and SAR experiments. Here, we present an open-room approach that is suitable for simultaneous EO collection. The local measurement technique, data processing, and SAR ATR feature extraction are discussed with emphasis on EO fusion and the various tradeoffs at each stage. Examples of inverse SAR imagery at Ka-band demonstrate the relatively inexpensive, fast, and repeatable measurements. Finally, candidate EO fusion experiments are discussed.

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To inculcate electromagnetics engineering in the broader undergraduate experience at Wright State University, students of the Sensors and Signals Exploitation Lab designed a 5D antenna positioning system to support applied electromagnetic experiments. The team of students with mixed engineering concentrations designed a 500-dollar antenna positioner and instrumented it to work with a laboratory stepped-frequency radar and signal processing suite. We present the positioning system requirements, completed design. We also demonstrate its application to radar imaging as a way to highlight how electromagnetcs and antenna theory underly radar signal processing.