Rugged SAR Optronic SAR Processing through Wavefront Compensation and its Digital Analogy

Abstract:
On-board SAR processing requires a certain level of ruggedness; that is, the processor must not only process the incoming raw data faster than it enters, but also correct for phase errors without slowing down the processing speed. The source and effects of phase errors have been well described in digital SAR processing theory. However, in the domain of optical SAR processing, phase errors give rise to variations in the propagating wavefront. Wavefront error compensation techniques may thus be used to produce an aberration-free wavefront that propogates to a diffraction-limited point at its focal plane. This paper discusses such a wavefront compensation technique that has been implemented in an optronic SAR processor prototype. As well, the analogy between wavefront compensation and digital phase correction is discussed.