ANINTRODUCTIONTOSYNTHETICAPERTURE （ANINTRODUCTIONTOSYNTHETICAPERTURE）.pdf

Progress In Electromagnetics Research B, Vol. 2, 27–60, 2008 AN INTRODUCTION TO SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR (SAR) Y. K. Chan and V. C. Koo Faculty of Engineering Technology Multimedia University Jalan Ayer Keroh Lama, Bukit Beruang, 75450 Melaka, Malaysia Abstract—This paper outlines basic principle of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). Matched filter approaches for processing the received data and pulse compression technique are presented. Besides the SAR radar equation, the linear frequency modulation (LFM) waveform and matched filter response are also discussed. Finally the system design consideration of various parameters and aspects are also highlighted. 1. INTRODUCTION Radar has long been used for military and non-military purposes in a wide variety of applications such as imaging, guidance, remote sensing and global positioning [1]. Development of radar as a tool for ship and aircraft detection was started during 1920s. In 1922, the first continuous wave radar system was demonstrated by Taylor. The first pulse radar system was developed in 1934 with operating frequency 60 MHz by Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), US. At the same time, radar systems for tracking and detection of aircraft were developed both in Great Britain and Germany during the early 1930s. The first imaging radar, developed during World War II, used the B-Scan which produced an image in a rectangular format. The nonlinear relation between angle and distance to the side of aircraft produced great distortions on the display. This distortion was greatly improved by development of Plan Position Indicator (PPI). Its antenna beam was rotated through 360◦ about the aircraft and a picture of ground was produced. In the 1950s, the Side Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) was developed. Scanning had been achieved with the SLAR by fixed beam pointed to the side with aircraft’s motion moving the beam across the land. The early versions of SLAR sy