Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with coherent focusing has been proposed in 1953 by C. W. Sherwin. It allows imaging of the ground scene in all weather conditions with high resolution using a radar on board a flying platform or satellite. The first actual systems applied optical processing for image generation. Since then many developments have achieved finer resolution and faster processing of received SAR signals by digital processing. New and extended capabilities can be achieved by applying an active phasedarray radar for SAR operation, including array signal processing methods as discussed in the preceding chapters. Opportunities are particularly good for the task of detecting, locating and imaging moving objects. The suppression of jamming may also be achieved.

Chapter Contents:

• 14.1 Basic principle of SAR
• 14.2 Problems of moving-target detection and location
• 14.3 Clutter suppression with multichannel array radar
• 14.4 Target location
• 14.5 SAR/MTI processing
• 14.6 Jammer suppression
• 14.7 Object height by interferometry
• 14.8 Experimental system AER and results
• 14.9 Summary and motivations for SAR with active phased-array antennas
• References

Inspec keywords: radar imaging; phased array radar; array signal processing; synthetic aperture radar; radar resolution

Other keywords: SAR signals; ground scene; synthetic aperture radar; flying platform; jamming suppression; weather conditions; array signal processing methods; radar resolution; active phased array radar; digital processing; optical processing; moving objects; satellite; image generation

Subjects: Optical, image and video signal processing; Radar equipment, systems and applications