High-resolution spectral radiometer imaging system

A high-resolution spectral radiometer imaging system developed at DLR combines high-resolution aperture synthesis imaging with spectral sensing. The frequency range of 1.4 to 7 GHz allows a high penetration depth in order to extract information about the surface and material of observed objects. The aperture synthesis principal can produce a high resolution snapshot image with a highly thinned array without mechanical movement of a antenna system. Another advantage of that combination, i.e. a higher spatial resolution at higher frequencies and a higher penetration at lower frequencies, can enhance the overall imaging capability using combined processing for the image reconstruction. In this paper the experimental system ANSAS is presented, the setup and receiver assembly is outlined, and some imaging results using the developed electronics on a two-elements interferometer shows the capabilities of the concept.