microASAR: A Small, Robust LFM-CW SAR for Operation on UAVs and Small Aircraft

Abstract

The Artemis microASAR is a flexible, robust SAR system built on the successful legacy of the BYU μSAR [1] [2] and other BYU SAR systems [3]. It is an LFM-CW SAR system designed for low-power operation on small, manned aircraft or UAVs. This paper describes the high-level methodology used in designing the microASAR system and contains a description of the hardware specifications. Performance projections are also calculated and presented.

A Miniature Real-Time Re-Configurable Radar Waveform Synthesizer for Uav Based Radar

“…As compared to conventional airborne or space-borne radar systems, UAV-based radar systems has lower operation cost, lower risk, and suitable for in-situ measurement where frequent revisit is required [14]. However, UAV-based radar requires miniature and light instruments due to its limited space and carrying weight in the vehicle [15][16][17]. This adds a trade-off between the signals quality and the instrument size, and it has to be properly considered in the design of an UAV-based radar system.…”

Using the MicroASAR on the NASA SIERRA UAS in the Characterization of Arctic Sea Ice Experiment

“…This relatively strong feedthrough component dominates the low end of the dechirped spectrum and must be removed before final processing. In the MicroASAR this is done in hardware with the help of a bandpass filter with high out of band rejection, as described in [2]. In the analog dechirp, the mixdown signal is offset in frequency such that the dechirped signal is at an intermediate frequency.…”

“…The MicroASAR builds on the design of the BYU μSAR [1], but is a much more robust and flexible system [2]. The C-band MicroASAR is a complete, self-contained SAR system that has been designed specifically to be small and lightweight while still being robust and capable.…”

Coherent multi-frequency-band resolution enhancement for synthetic aperture radar

“…Using a unique design methodology that extends the work from previous successful systems, such as the NuSAR-B system presented in [5], the flexible SlimSAR uses less power and is made smaller, lighter, and more capable by using techniques and technology developed for the MicroASAR in [6]. This compact design is facilitated by the use of a linear-frequency-modulated continuous-wave (LFM-CW) signal, which allows us to achieve a high signal-to-noise ratio while transmitting with less power.…”