UAVSAR: A new NASA airborne SAR system for science and technology research
Abstract
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is currently building a reconfigurable, polarimetric L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), specifically designed to acquire airborne repeat track SAR data for differential interferometric measurements. Differential interferometry can provide key deformation measurements, important for studies of earthquakes, volcanoes and other dynamically changing phenomena. Using precision real-time GPS and a sensor controlled flight management system, the system will be able to fly predefined paths with great precision. The expected performance of the flight control system will constrain the flight path to be within a 10 m diameter tube about the desired flight track. The radar will be designed to be operable on a UAV (Unpiloted Arial Vehicle) but will initially be demonstrated on a on a NASA Gulfstream III. The radar will be fully polarimetric, with a range bandwidth of 80 MHz (2 m range resolution), and will support a 16 km range swath. The antenna will be electronically steered along track to assure that the antenna beam can be directed independently, regardless of the wind direction and speed. Other features supported by the antenna include elevation monopulse and pulse-to-pulse re-steering capabilities that will enable some novel modes of operation. The system will nominally operate at 45,000 ft (13800 m). The program began as an Instrument Incubator Project (IIP) funded by NASA Earth Science and Technology Office (ESTO).
Additional Information
© 2006 IEEE. Issue Date: 24-27 April 2006. Date of Current Version: 30 May 2006. This paper was written at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. We would like to thank Total Aircraft Services who is modifying the GIII and supplying the pod for the pod interior figures and NASA Dryden for their expertise on aircraft systems and precision flying. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement by the United States Government or the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology.Attached Files
Published - Rosen2006p91082009_Ieee_Radar_Conference_Vols_1_And_2.pdf
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- CaltechAUTHORS:20110218-130200993
- NASA
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2011-02-18Created from EPrint's datestamp field
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2021-11-09Created from EPrint's last_modified field
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- Radar Conference