Imaging of objects in space using arbitrary transmit signals

Abstract:
The Microwaves and Radar Institute of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is currently operating an experimental radar system called IoSiS (Imaging of Satellites in Space) for research on future advanced system concepts addressing space situational awareness (SSA). From beginning the system concept of IoSiS was designed based on a very high degree of digital technology allowing advanced signal processing and generation. Considering space object imaging, the usage of arbitrary transmit signals can bring along a couple of advantages. The paper describes a pseudo noise signal generated based on Gold codes and a further iteratively generated pseudo noise signal. A detailed analysis of the properties of the signals is performed and shown. The paper concludes with two measurement results of a space object using two arbitrary transmit signals.