A comparative study of RADAR Ka-Band backscatter

D. Mapelli; N. Pierdicca; L. Guerriero; Paolo Ferrazzoli; Eduardo Calleja; B. Rommen; D. Giudici; A. Monti Guarnieri

doi:10.1117/12.2067244

21 October 2014 A comparative study of RADAR Ka-band backscatter

D. Mapelli, N. Pierdicca, L. Guerriero, Paolo Ferrazzoli, Eduardo Calleja, B. Rommen, D. Giudici, A. Monti Guarnieri

Proceedings Volume 9243, SAR Image Analysis, Modeling, and Techniques XIV; 92430U (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2067244
Event: SPIE Remote Sensing, 2014, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Ka-band RADAR frequency range has not yet been used for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) from space so far, although this technology may lead to important applications for the next generation of SAR space sensors. Therefore, feasibility studies regarding a Ka-band SAR instrument have been started [1][2], for the next generation of SAR space sensors. In spite of this, the lack of trusted references on backscatter at Ka-band revealed to be the main limitation for the investigation of the potentialities of this technology. In the framework of the ESA project “Ka-band SAR backscatter analysis in support of future applications”, this paper is aimed at the study of wave interaction at Ka-band for a wide range of targets in order to define a set of well calibrated and reliable Ka-band backscatter coefficients for different kinds of targets. We propose several examples of backscatter data resulting from a critical survey of available datasets at Ka-band, focusing on the most interesting cases and addressing both correspondences and differences. The reliability of the results will be assessed via a preliminary comparison with ElectroMagnetic (EM) theoretical models. Furthermore, in support of future technological applications, we have designed a prototypal software acting as a “library” of earth surface radar response. In our intention, the output of the study shall contribute to answer to the need of a trustworthy Ka-Band backscatter reference. It will be of great value for future technological applications, such as support to instrument analysis, design and requirements’ definition (e.g.: Signal to Noise Ratio, Noise Equivalent Sigma Zero).

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D. Mapelli, N. Pierdicca, L. Guerriero, Paolo Ferrazzoli, Eduardo Calleja, B. Rommen, D. Giudici, and A. Monti Guarnieri "A comparative study of RADAR Ka-band backscatter", Proc. SPIE 9243, SAR Image Analysis, Modeling, and Techniques XIV, 92430U (21 October 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2067244

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