A study of a 3D-SAR concept for a millimeter wave imaging radar onboard an UAV

Abstract

This paper presents a 3D SAR system for radar imagery onboard an UAV. The concept combines a linear array of nadir pointing receivers, the SAR technique and employs linear frequency-modulated (LFM) pulse waveform. This system has many advantages: it leads to a 3D image of the area of interest, it avoids shadowed zona on the resulting image and an advantageous power budget can be obtained. The paper describes our preliminary works in terms of signal processing and experiments. The theory is illustrated by simulation results and first ground measurement campaigns, using a Ka-band radar.