High performance reflector-based Synthetic Aperture Radar: -A system performance analysis -

The success of current spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is boosting the performance requirement of next generation systems. In order to cope with the evolution of SAR the design of the new systems will need to meet higher requirements for spacial and radiometric resolutions together with an increased availability. This tendency is recognized nearly independently of the application area and manifests itself through several study programs initiated by space agencies aiming at the design of future SAR systems. In this context the use of large reflectors combined with digital feed arrays for SAR has not always received adequate attention. This paper suggests an X-band spaceborne SAR system utilizing a deployable reflector together with a digital feed array, analyzes its performance and highlights its advantages compared to other systems based on direct radiating arrays.