Analog raw SAR data reduction using dynamic range limiting: background and experimental results with the PHARUS system

Describes the theoretical background of dynamic range limiting, an analog raw SAR data reduction technique. A Dynamic Range Limiter (DRL) breadboard model is presented, which has been used to prove the concept of this technique. The first results of the DRL experiment with the PHARUS airborne SAR system have shown that the DRL performs its function as expected and improves image quality when a low number of bits is used for the raw data. An additional experiment is required to demonstrate the DRL on extreme backscatter changes, such as a transition from land to sea