SAR: a novel application for FM-CW Radars (DTC.5642)

The project aims at demonstrating that Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave radars can be succesfully used for Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar applications. At the start of the project there were no examples of this application. The small and efficient FM-CW radars are able to produce high resolutions, which should result in high quality images. Further enhancements in the signal generation and processing may lead to Moving Target Indicator functionality of the same radar.
Problems to overcome are oscillator phase noise, transmitter-receiver isolation, frequency linearity.

Utilization

FM-CW radars make an efficient use of the available RF power output of modern microwave components. FM-CW radar is compared to traditional pulse radars a simple, light weight, low cost system. By applying it in small and possibly unmanned aircraft, a low cost, miniature, yet powerful radar imaging sensor can be achieved. The experience built up with this demonstrator will lead to design models for more powerful systems, that can be used in civil remote sensing and military surveillance applications. The project draws international and national attention.

Er zijn zes bedrijven bij dit project betrokken.