High-resolution interferometric synthetic aperture radar for Discoverer II

New requirements have recently emerged for high-resolution digital terrain elevation data required for critical applications such as intelligent preparation of the battlefield and precision engagement. The recent development of high-resolution interferometric SAR (IFSAR) has made meeting these requi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Johns Hopkins APL technical digest 1999-07, Vol.20 (3), p.297-304
Main Author: Roth, Michael W
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:New requirements have recently emerged for high-resolution digital terrain elevation data required for critical applications such as intelligent preparation of the battlefield and precision engagement. The recent development of high-resolution interferometric SAR (IFSAR) has made meeting these requirements a possibility. Because studies have shown that a space-based IFSAR mission is feasible, a high-resolution terrain-mapping mode has been included as an important part of the Discoverer II Technology Demonstration Program. This article presents a survey of the current state of research for space-based high-resolution IFSAR. R&D have focused on key technical challenges such as phase unwrapping, baseline-tilt estimation, motion contamination, vegetation and urban-area effects, synchronization, and error minimization. The application of high-resolution terrain-elevation data to tactical targeting is also discussed. (Author)
ISSN:0270-5214