Initial assessment of an airborne Ku-band polarimetric SAR.

Abstract

Polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has been used for a variety of dual-use research applications since the 1940's. By measuring the direction of the electric field vector from radar echoes, polarimetry may enhance an analyst's understanding of scattering effects for both earth monitoring and tactical surveillance missions. Polarimetry may provide insight into surface types, materials, or orientations for natural and man-made targets. Polarimetric measurements may also be used to enhance the contrast between scattering surfaces such as man-made objects and their surroundings. This report represents an initial assessment of the utility of, and applications for, polarimetric SAR at Ku-band for airborne or unmanned aerial systems. 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThe authors would like to thank the various organizations, radar systems, and individuals whose work is exhibited in this report for illustrative purposes.The first author would like to express her gratitude to Billy C. Brock and Douglas L. Bickel from Sandia National Laboratories for their willing mentorship and generous sharing of their time for this report. We are grateful for the informative discussions with Billy regarding polarimetric applications, specifically those related to coherent change detection and crevasse monitoring. We further are thankful for discussions with Doug related to the relevance of maritime applications for ship detection and Ku-band scatterometers to our study.

A Ku-Band GaN-on-Si MMIC Power Amplifier with an Asymmetrical Output Combiner

“…The X and C bands, on the other hand, are employed for high-resolution applications, making them valuable for tactical purposes. Additionally, the Ku band is particularly advantageous for studying large surfaces and achieving higher resolutions, making it popular in military applications [1].…”