DLR SAR Calibration Center - Overview and next transponder generation

Abstract

Modern spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems used for earth observation are capable of acquiring high-resolution data. To ensure the quality of these data, the SAR system must first be calibrated. DLR’s SAR Calibration Center has been established over the last 30 years and has supported the calibration of a large number of spaceborne SAR missions since then. Besides the development of calibration concepts and solutions throughout all phases of SAR missions, DLR operates its own calibration facility to provide an extensive infrastructure of reference targets and thus being able to execute comprehensive calibration campaigns. Based on a brief overview of DLR’s calibration facility, the presentation will outline the development of DLR’s next generation of calibration transponders to be well prepared for future spaceborne SAR missions.