MIMO and bistatic architectures for along track interferometry

Along track interferometry is predicated on using multiple two-way phase centers to form images from the same spatial aperture at different times. A simple, conventional approach uses subarrays on receive to achieve the multiple two-way phase centers. This corresponds to a single-input, multiple-output (SIMO) architecture. We can, however, take advantage of subarrays on transmit in a multiple-input, single-output (MISO) or multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) architecture. Moreover, we can envision the use of multiple, physically separated arrays in various bistatic configurations. This paper analyzes these architectures and configurations to show their differences, advantages, disadvantages, and limitations.