AbstractRadar systems combining coherent signals with frequency and angular diversity offer the possibility of synthesizing images of complex objects with spatial resolution of a few wavelengths. The availability of high‐quality microwave sources and components, high‐speed digital computers, and efficient signal‐processing algorithms allows radar imaging to be implemented in laboratory environments using commercially‐available equipment. The paper summarizes fundamental issues by addressing conceptual and practical limits of radar imaging and presents examples obtained from results of measurements in a laboratory environment. Implementation details of sophisticated operational imaging radars are not covered.©1993 John Wiley & Sons Inc