F-SAR – DLR’s advanced airborne SAR system onboard DO228

Abstract

The Microwaves and Radar Institute of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is known for its consistent work on the field of airborne synthetic aperture radar and its application. In April 2008 we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the maiden flight of the well-known E-SAR system. E-SAR was maintained well over the time. It provided valuable knowledge to the science community, especially in the last 10 years. However, it became more and more obvious that a technological renewal was inevitable. Consequently the development of a new SAR system was put on the line some years ago under the name ‘F-SAR’. F-SAR identifies the successor of the well-known ESAR system. The system is under development at the Microwaves and Radar Institute. The development was triggered by the demand for data being simultaneously acquired at different wavelengths and polarisations as well as by the demand for very high range resolution.