A Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging Mode Utilizing Frequency Scan for Time-of-Echo Compression

Abstract

The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging mode described in this paper utilizes the available signal bandwidth to form a narrow frequency-scanning transmit antenna beam illuminating the swath of interest from far to near range. The imaging technique is named frequency Scan for Time-of-Echo Compression (f-STEC), because, for a proper choice of mode parameters, the radar echo duration is reduced, i.e., compressed.The paper provides a detailed analysis of the f-STEC imaging technique; derives the operational and performance parameters as well as -to the authors knowledge -for the first time, analytic expressions for the f-STEC timing constraints. Further, the performance and tradespace is reported and compared to both conventional and modern, i.e., digital beamforming imaging modes. The f-STEC imaging technique is shown to be specifically advantageous for SAR systems operating at higher carrier frequencies or an attractive add-on for state-of-the-art SAR instruments.

Introducing F-Scan to the Concurrent Imaging Mode

“…An important factor of the F-Scan transmission is the illumination time of individual point targets within the scene, defined as dwell time in [17]. This parameter is calculated by…”

Study on the System Design Scheme for Wide-Swath Spaceborne SAR Operating in the Frequency-Scanning Mode

“…Until recently, a totally novel operation conceptfrequency scanning (F-SCAN) mode is brought forward as a highly interesting alternative to HRWS to realize high resolution and wide swath imaging by exploitation of an analogue frequency scanning antenna sweeping over the area of interest [9]- [11]. In contrast to SCORE technique, F-SCAN can obtain the same advantages of SCORE, but 8 VOLUME XX, 2017 using fewer demanding electronics.…”