Ship Tracking and Imaging using DVB-S Signals and a Low-Cost Passive Receiver System

Abstract:
Satellites are generally very well suited as a platform for SAR applications. The ability to acquire data about any location on Earth makes satellite-based radars indispensable for cartography, hydrology, disaster response, or oceanography. But continuous observation of small local areas cannot be satisfied by the current satellite programs. In contrast to traditional SAR applications, this work is concerned with using geostationary satellites as a ubiquitous illuminator for a low-cost ground-based passive radar system for detecting, tracking, and imaging ships. Experimental data will be used to verify the suitability of our system for such applications.