Results of testing the pulse coded calibration technique on the LSAR Pre-Development Model Tile

Abstract:
This paper briefly reviews the pulse coded calibration (PCC) technique, which has been proposed in the frame of the TerraSAR-L mission, and the benefits arising therefrom. It presents results from the successful PCC test campaign which has been carried out as part of the LSAR Pre-Development Model (PDM) activity, a technology precursor to TerraSAR-L. This experience with PCC has underlined the validity and usefulness of PCC not only as a technique for in-orbit calibration but also as a powerful diagnostic tool and test technique for onground activities e.g. during AIT. It has been found that, under ‘real-world’ test conditions, PCC is able to yield accurate results when existing methods cannot yield any. The main recommendation of the work therefore is that PCC, or techniques like it, should be strongly considered for calibration and characterisation of future SAR instruments such as TerraSAR-L and the new Sentinel-1 mission presently being proposed by ESA.