A Ka-Band Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar Instrument: A modular sparse array antenna design

The article presents the design of a Ka-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instrument based on innovative phased-array antennas, with steering capability in azimuth and elevation. To limit the complexity and costs associated with conventional large active arrays with regular layouts, a sparse array concept is presented. The proposed approach...

Efficient analysis of arrays of compact metallic elements devoted to satellite SAR

A fully metallic monopole element is proposed for satellite SAR antennas. This element has significant gain in the broadside direction thanks to its curved arm. This element is then studied in a large sparse array. A fast analysis technique is presented in order to solve for the currents of few hundreds elements, which correspond approximately...

Deformation monitoring of dam infrastructures via spaceborne MT-InSAR. The case of La Vinuela (Malaga, southern Spain)

Dams require continuous security and monitoring programs, integrated with visual inspection and testing in dam surveillance programs. New approaches for dam monitoring focus on multi-sensor integration, taking into account emerging technologies such as GNSS, optic fiber, TLS, InSAR techniques, GBInSAR, GPR, that can be used as complementary data...

Design of a Ka-band sparse array antenna for spaceborne SAR applications

In this paper a novel sparse layout for the radiating aperture of a Ka-band spaceborne SAR is outlined. Starting from a set of typical requirements and the definition of a benchmark antenna, an approach to achieve sparsity (in terms of the number of active modules) is proposed, which reduces significantly the fill factor as compared to the...

Space-Time Block Coding waveform for suppression of jamming in a MIMO radar

In a phased array radar which uses Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) techniques, each (group of) element(s) transmits a different waveform. This extra degree of freedom in the design of a phased array radar potentially yields an advantage for improved suppression of sidelobe clutter and jamming. In this paper a Space-Time Block Coding (STBC)...

Design considerations on a sparse array antenna for Ka-band spaceborne SAR applications

This contribution addresses the problem of designing a sparse active array antenna for spaceborne SAR applications at Ka-band. The main driver for the design is limiting the recurring manufacturing costs associated to the number of active modules, while preserving main performance and insuring a certain level of industrial feasibility. A sparse...