An optical SAR processor prototype exhibiting real-time and fine sampling capabilities has been successfully developed and tested. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images are typically processed digitally applying dedicated Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithms. These operations are time consuming and require a large amount of processing power and are often performed in one dimension at a time. A true two dimensional Fourier transform may be instead performed through optics, as optical processing provides inherent parallel computing capabilities. By processing the azimuth and slant range directions simultaneously, a reduction in processing time and power is achieved. In addition, the configuration of the optics is such that high resolution images may be obtained at no additional processing cost. The optical SAR processor is also designed to adapt to SAR system parameter changes. It has the capability to produce full Envisat / ASAR scenes from the various image mode swaths (IS1 - IS7) within tens of seconds. This paper reviews the design of the real-time high resolution optical SAR processor prototype and discusses the results of images reconstructed from simulated point targets as well as from Envisat / ASAR data sets.

Date Published: 26 April 2010
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 7669, Radar Sensor Technology XIV, 76690M (26 April 2010); doi: 10.1117/12.850734

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7669:
Radar Sensor Technology XIV
Kenneth I. Ranney; Armin W. Doerry, Editor(s)