Abstract

Abstract. In this paper two simple synthetic aperture radar (SAR) methods are applied on data from a 24 GHz FMCW radar implemented on a linear drive for educational purposes. The data of near and far range measurements are evaluated using two different SAR signal processing algorithms featuring 2D-FFT and frequency back projection (FBP) method (Moreira et al., 2013). A comparison of these two algorithms is performed concerning runtime, image pixel size, azimuth and range resolution. The far range measurements are executed in a range of 60 to 135 m by monitoring cars in a parking lot. The near range measurement from 0 to 5 m are realised in a measuring chamber equipped with absorber foam and nearly ideal targets like corner reflectors. The comparison of 2D-FFT and FBP algorithm shows that both deliver good and similar results for the far range measurements but the runtime of the FBP algorithm is up to 150 times longer as the 2D-FFT runtime. In the near range measurements the FBP algorithm displays a very good azimuth resolution and targets which are very close to each other can be separated easily. In contrast to that the 2D-FFT algorithm has a lower azimuth resolution in the near range, thus targets which are very close to each other, merge together and cannot be separated.

Highlights

  • The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a commonly used imaging radar technique to generate two-dimensional images for the detection and reconstruction of objects or landscapes

  • A Radar System implemented on a linear drive as a Synthetic Aperture Radar is a good way to learn and understand the underlying SAR methodology

  • It improves the angular resolution in comparison to classical digital beamforming and MIMO radars to such an extent that it can be used for imaging of parking lots or even indoor areas which provides an educational success by learning these methods

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Summary

Introduction

The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a commonly used imaging radar technique to generate two-dimensional images for the detection and reconstruction of objects or landscapes. The common SARs are used in aerospace to generate high resolution radar images. Using various signal and SAR processing algorithms a radar image of a parking lot in the far range was generated from the acquired data. The frequency backprojection method is described in Gorham (2010). Measurements of several targets in the near range are recorded and processed. The goal is to teach students different algorithm approaches that achieves different angular resolution either in the far or the near range, taking into account the runtimes and variable parameters. the operation of the SAR is described shortly and some different recording methods are compared. the intuitive 2D-FFT SAR processing algorithm is given and the required equations are shown. The comparison of the two methods based on measurements is given in Sect.

Synthetic aperture radar
Radar system implemented on a linear drive
Radar system
Data representation
Angle-FFT
Create SAR image
Frequency Backprojection Algorithm
Creating subaperture
Interpolation
Phase correction
Comparison of the FBP and 2D-FFT algorithm based on far range measurements
Far Range Parking Lot Measurement
Runtime measurement
Comparison of the FBP and 2D-FFT algorithm based on near range measurements
Near range with five corner reflectors
Conclusion
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