Konstantin A. Lukin

SAR Imaging with Noise Radar

Two ground-based coherent imaging systems designed on the basis of noise radar technology (NRT) using continuous waveform with a linear synthetic aperture and pulse coherent noise waveform with a circular synthetic aperture are presented. A short description of noise waveform synthetic aperture radar (SAR) theory and data processing algorithms are given. Experimental results obtained show that the quality of the imagery is comparable to that of frequency-modulation continuous-wave (FMCW) or stepped frequency radar systems. Experimental validation of the technique at different locations provides confidence in the ability of noise waveform SAR to achieve high-resolution imaging at low cost. The exploitation of the interferometric phase combining pairs of images spaced in time is shown to allow the detection of displacements in the scene with a submillimeter accuracy.

A novel approach to scanning antennas design

A new concept for design of scanning antennas is suggested. The concept is based upon a combination of a single radiating element movement with antenna aperture synthesizing. The radiator movement may be either real or virtual one. In turn, the latter may be either mechanical or electronic one. In the paper, the case of electromechanical motion is preferably considered. Various realizations of real and virtual movements of the radiator are shortly described. Examples of the concept implementing are presented. Advantages and drawbacks of the concept are briefly discussed.

Implementation of Noise Radar Technology in Ground Based SAR for Short Range Applications

In this paper, results of implementation of noise radar technology in X-band narrowband ground based (GB) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) were presented. The radars under consideration use noise waveform (NW) as a probe signal and perform the range focusing by correlating the radar returns with a reference signal taken before transmission, while the way the azimuth compression is done is similar to that of the conventional SAR. Evaluation of the phase measurements precision with the help of GB NW SAR was carried out on the basis of the obtained interferograms. It has been shown that both NW SAR systems provide quite high precision of displacement measurements.It was also demonstrated that noise radar technology may provide rather high performance of radar designed for short range applications with interferometric capabilities including ground based SAR and d-InSAR systems.

Synthetic aperture antenna for near field applications

Preliminary results of implementation of a new approach to design of scanning antennas are presented. Combining mechanical movement of a simple radiator along a real aperture of a stationary antenna with the concept of the antenna aperture synthesizing is the main idea of that approach. Helical-slot synthetic aperture antenna has been suggested, designed and tested in Ka-band. The tests shown a good agreement with theoretical evaluations, as well as a high efficiency of the suggested antenna in transmit/receive operating mode. The antenna in the near-field zone for relatively small real antenna apertures provides a high azimuth resolution.

Terahertz Self-Oscillations in Avalanche P-N Junction with DC Current Injection

In this paper, computer simulation results for the self-oscillations of currents flowing through a reverse biased p-n junction with DC current injection were presented. Results showed that such self-oscillatory regime is promising to build a new auto-generator operating in terahertz frequency band.

Capabilities of noise radar in remote sensing applications

Nowadays noise waveform signals attract attention of radar engineers because they are inexpensive to generate both in analog and digital formats, covert, have good resistance against jamming and interference, are easily obtained using current microwave and RF circuit technology, spectrally very efficient and can share spectral bands without mutual interference, exhibit excellent waveform diversity characteristics. Coherent processing of noise signals enables to use them for phase and Doppler frequency measurements and for SAR imaging. Current work describes several radars showing current capabilities of noise radar technology such as shifts detection using Ka-band and X-band noise SAR, 3D SAR imaging and novel high dynamic range noise radars.

Mode interaction in resonant Clinotron

Self-oscillations in multimode Clinotron have been investigated. The effects taking place due to modes interaction have been analyzed.

Antenna beam scanning via aperture synthesis

A new concept for scanning antennas design is suggested. The concept is based upon a combination of a single radiating element movement with antenna aperture synthesizing. The radiator movement may be implemented either in direct way or virtually via switching of feeding circuitry of the antenna ID array. The latter may be done either electro-mechanically or electronically. In the paper, the case of electromechanical movement of the radiator is preferably considered. Various realizations of real and virtual movements of the radiator are briefly described. Examples of the concept implementing are presented. Advantages and drawbacks of the concept are discussed.

Ka-Band Ground-Based Noise Waveform SAR

We present main results of design and investigations of Ka-band ground based interferometric SAR which uses continuous noise waveform as a probe signal and may operate in both monostatic and bistatic regimes. Synthetic aperture antennas enable to design a portable, light weight, easy to mount device with high speed of operation suitable for SAR imaging in quasi-real time while Ka-band noise waveform signals provide all-weather high resolution, high electromagnetic compatibility and interference immunity. Experiments have shown a rather high stability and repeatability of the measurements due to both the high quality of the equipment and advanced signal processing methods. The SAR system designed is an innovative instrument for solving new tasks of precise remote monitoring of various large objects, such as sealing of big halls, dams, bridges, TV towers, hangars, etc.

Noise waveform reflectometer based on LED and spectral interferometry technique

The paper describes Noise waveform reflectometer of a new type, which uses wideband random signals and spectral interferometry method for fiber optical network diagnostics. Also correlation based reflectometer was submitted and investigated. These reflectometers have no so-called “dead zone” and are used for metrological support of fiber-optic communication lines (FOCL).