Explore the capabilities and applications of ground-based and airborne radar and

Question

Explore the capabilities and applications of ground-based and airborne radar and SAR systems used to support both data collection and sense and avoid functions.

Identify the strengths, weaknesses, and several example applications for both primary data collection and separation assurance tasks. How do you think radar systems compare to other sensor types for primary collection of targets on the ground and in support of obstacle or aircraft sense and avoid requirements?

Can you identify any needs for additional development to make radar or SAR systems more viable for widespread incorporation into UAS, particularly small platforms?

Explanation / Answer

Synthetic Aperture RADAR (“SAR”), uses mathematical techniques, to combine reflected signal phase and amplitude information, as a function of time, from several adjacent-in-time RADAR pulses to build up (“synthesise”) a high resolution image, matching the quality achievable from a much larger antenna, without any additional mathematical manipulation.

While SAR is often used because of its all-weather, day-or-night capability, it also finds application because it renders a different view of a " target," with synthetic aperture radar being at a much lower electromagnetic frequency than optical sensors.

Synthetic Aperture RADAR (“SAR”), uses mathematical techniques, to combine reflected signal phase and amplitude information, as a function of time, from several adjacent-in-time RADAR pulses to build up (“synthesise”) a high resolution image, matching the quality achievable from a much larger antenna, without any additional mathematical manipulation.

While SAR is often used because of its all-weather, day-or-night capability, it also finds application because it renders a different view of a " target," with synthetic aperture radar being at a much lower electromagnetic frequency than optical sensors.

Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Targeting

Many applications for synthetic aperture radar are for reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting. These applications are driven by the military's need for all-weather, day-and-night imaging sensors. SAR can provide sufficiently high resolution, to distinguish terrain features and to recognize and identify selected man made targets.

Navigation and Guidance

Synthetic aperture radar provides the capability for all-weather, autonomous navigation and guidance. By forming SAR reflectivity images of the terrain and then "correlating" the SAR image with a stored reference (obtained from optical photography or a previous SAR image), a navigation update can be obtained. Position accuracies of less than a SAR resolution cell can be obtained. SAR may also be used in guidance applications by pointing or "squinting" the antenna beam in the direction of motion of the airborne platform.

OPARUS is a Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) Coordination and Support Action project under control of European Commission (EC) Directorate General (DG) Enterprise. This project is based on the statement that European Union (EU) border protection using comprehensive and improved methods of border observation should be carried out by means of a coordinate policy and procedure connected to national surveillance system or European border surveillance system (EUROSUR).

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse E
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.