Generation of planar and arbitrary flight path spotlight SAR imagery utilizing a compact radar range

Abstract

Utilizing a generalized spotlight SAR data collection formalism described in the literature, we demonstrate a technique whereby the generalized planar flight path as well as more arbitrary collection surfaces may be analyzed in the physical scale model compact radar range environment. We briefly review the generalized planar collection geometry, its characteristics, and the implications of collecting spotlight SAR data across non-planar surfaces. Using data collected in a 305-375 GHz compact radar range, we present first results of spotlight SAR imagery modeling the generalized planar collection geometry as well as a more arbitrary geometry at X-band using 1/35th physical scale model objects. The scene observed in this work consisted of a test scene consisting of canonical scatterers as well as a scene composed of a 1/35th scale model SA-6 that exemplifies the limits of depth of focus due to non-planar motion. Our imagery results are produced from both squint and broadside collections.