MetaSensing compact, high resolution interferometric SAR sensor for commercial and scientific applications

Abstract:
For the first time in the world Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images have been acquired in interferometric mode. The paper reports on the X-band images collected by the new high resolution, compact MetaSensing interferometric SAR sensors in 2009. MetaSensing approach allows cost-effective SAR mapping by employing small, readily available Cessna 172/182 or similar in order to drastically cut the costs of current radar campaigns for scientific and commercial applications. MetaSensing X-band SAR sensor is able to transmit more than 1.4 GHz of bandwidth and its versatile two receiving channels allow along-track and cross-track interferometric acquisitions. A fully polarimetric L-band sensor is in the final test stage and is available from the third quarter of 2010. The new MetaSensing approach is an optimal solution for commercial and scientific application which requires SAR mapping on local areas.