Performance analysis of spaceborne SAR systems

Abstract

This paper describes a software tool for performance analysis and parameter prediction for conventional and special SAR modes. Several aspects of design, performance analysis and parameter optimization for Spotlight and interferometric SAR systems are examined. After the description of relevant principles the synthesis of antenna dimensions and efficient modeling of parabolic reflector antenna patterns are demonstrated. The influences of range migration and yaw steering on the PRF selection are shown along with a design example. The tool presented here was used on the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) flown on the Shuttler Endeavour for the X-SAR performance prediction in the preparation phase and was also used in near realtime during the mission.