Multimode/multifrequency low frequency airborne radar design

Abstract

This work deals with the design of multimode/multifrequency airborne radar suitable for imaging and subsurface sounding. The system operates at relatively low frequencies in the band ranging from VHF to UHF. It is able to work in two different modalities: (i) nadir-looking sounder in the VHF band (163MHz) and (ii) side-looking imager (SAR) in the UHF band with two channels at 450MHz and 860MHz.Theradar has been completely designed by CO.Ri.S.T.A. forwhat concerns the RF and the electronic aspect, and by the University of Calabria for what concerns the design, realization, and test of SAR antennas.The radar has been installed on a civil helicopter and its operation has been validated in flight in both sounder and imager modality. Preliminary surveys have been carried out over different areas of Campania region, South Italy. Copyright © 2013 Sandra Costanzo et al.