Estimation of Multi-Channel SAR Instrument Errors using a Hybrid Calibration System Model

Abstract:
Near future space-borne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) missions require a high azimuth resolution and a wide swath. This can be achieved by using instruments with multiple channels. It is imperative to know the differences between the channels and correct them by calibrating the system. We propose a hybrid calibration scheme consisting of an internal instrument and a data-based calibration method. The internal calibration is done with a single tone calibration signal. For the data-based calibration the coherence between channels is employed. To estimate the errors and aid in the system design a mathematical model and a simulation tool are developed.