The synthetic aperture radar transionospheric radio propagation simulator (SAR-TIRPS)

N. C. Rogers, P. S. Cannon

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Space-based synthetic aperture radars (SAR) operating below 1 GHz are subject to forward scattering by ionospheric irregularities. This limits the synthetic aperture and bandwidth over which phase coherence can be maintained. This paper describes the SAR trans-ionospheric radio propagation simulator (SAR-TIRPS), a phase screen model which simulates ionosphere-corrupted SAR images of point targets. The Parabolic Equation propagation method allows both phase and amplitude fluctuations to be modelled. Background Total Electron Content (TEC) is modelled as an additional frequency-dependent phase shift. Examples are presented of L-band and P-band SAR simulations, showing how the target image and derived quantities (sidelobe ratios along- and cross-track) vary with changing ionospheric phase spectrum parameters. SAR-TIRPS proves to be a useful tool in assessing design concepts for low-frequency space radars.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIET 11th International Conference on Ionospheric Radio Systems and Techniques (IRST 2009)
PublisherInstitution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Pages112-116
Number of pages5
ISBN (Print)9781849191234
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Sept 2009
EventIET 11th International Conference on Ionospheric Radio Systems and Techniques, IRST 2009 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Duration: 28 Apr 200930 Apr 2009

Publication series

NameIEE Conference Publication
ISSN (Print)0537-9989

Conference

ConferenceIET 11th International Conference on Ionospheric Radio Systems and Techniques, IRST 2009
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityEdinburgh
Period28/04/0930/04/09

Keywords

  • Ionosphere
  • Propagation
  • Synthetic aperture radar

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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