Passive SAR imaging using DVB-T illumination for airborne applications

Abstract

This study presents recent research results obtained by the Warsaw University of Technology, Poland in airborne passive synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging using digital video broadcasting-terrestrial illumination. The main goal of the research was to prove the possibility of passive SAR imaging and its usage for airborne applications. In the study, different signal processing techniques used for passive SAR image creation are discussed in detail, together with an analysis of their computational requirements and implementation possibilities on the computing platforms available on the market. Also, a real measurement campaign is presented showing passive SAR images obtained. Finally, challenges in airborne passive SAR image creation are discussed, showing potential directions of the future development in this field.