Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) works by using the movement of the radar antenna (usually mounted on a moving platform such as an aircraft or satellite) to simulate a much larger antenna aperture. Unlike traditional radar systems with fixed antennas, SAR systems generate high-resolution images by combining radar reflections received from multiple positions along the antenna path. As the platform moves forward, SAR records the radar echoes of the terrain or objects below at different positions.
By processing these echoes with advanced signal processing techniques, SAR can create detailed images with a spatial resolution that is typically much finer than the physical size of the antenna aperture. This ability to synthesize a large antenna aperture through motion allows SAR to achieve high-resolution imaging over wide areas, making it valuable for applications such as remote sensing, environmental monitoring and reconnaissance.
The fundamental principle of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) revolves around creating a virtual aperture larger than the physical size of the radar antenna.
By moving the antenna along a path (such as on board an aircraft or satellite), SAR systems collect radar signals reflected from the ground or objects below at different positions. These signals, recorded over time, are processed to simulate a large antenna aperture. This synthetic aperture improves the resolution of the radar image, allowing SAR to produce detailed images with fine spatial resolution.
The key advantage of SAR is its ability to generate high-resolution images from a moving platform, providing capabilities to map terrain, monitor changes in the environment and detect objects accurately
