Compact and High-Performance SAR on Autonomous Aircraft

Research Project, 2017 – 2021

There is a need for high-performance SAR systems that are smaller, more compact and more independent than current systems. Two important recent advances in the SAR field, i.e. in multi-aperture concepts and autofocus algorithms, are key factors in this development. Multi-aperture concepts have the potential to simultaneously achieve high performance with small radar antennas. Parts of these concepts are currently being introduced for satellite SAR systems. This project will devise and propose multi-aperture concepts for airborne SAR systems. The recent success of a new autofocus algorithm has the potential to reduce the dependence on an aircraft’s high-performance, and often costly, navigation system. The new autofocus algorithm has been shown to work for ultra high-resolution SAR systems in the VHF-band. This project will propose strategies on how to extend this success to high-resolution SAR systems in the upper microwave radar bands. Proposed multi-aperture concepts and autofocus strategies will also be evaluated for use in the microwave radar bands in this project. The project gives the possibility for Sweden to strengthen a leading position in the field of innovative and effective methods for ultra high-resolution SAR systems by extending this position to also include smaller, more compact and more independent SAR systems.