Stripmap mode in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging involves illuminating and imaging a strip of terrain directly beneath the flight path of the SAR platform. The radar antenna beam remains fixed throughout the data collection process, ensuring that the resolution across the full bandwidth remains consistent. This mode typically provides moderate to high spatial resolution, ranging from a few meters to tens of meters, depending on factors such as operating frequency, antenna size, and processing techniques. Stripmap mode is commonly used for applications requiring detailed mapping, land cover classification and environmental monitoring where uniform resolution over a specific area is required.
SPELLIGHT SAR and SAR stripmap are two distinct modes used in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. The searchlight SAL works by directing the radar beam toward a specific target on the ground during each pulse transmission. This targeted approach allows for very high spatial resolution, typically in the range of tens of centimeters to a few meters. In contrast, the SAR Stripmap illuminates a strip of ground perpendicular to the flight path with a fixed antenna beam, providing moderate to high spatial resolution across the entire width of the drop. The main difference is their resolution capabilities and coverage strategies, with floodlight SAR providing finer detail over a smaller area and stripmap SAR providing consistent resolution over a wider swath.
The resolution of the SAR Stripmap refers to its ability to distinguish closely spaced objects in the direction of the crossed track. This resolution is primarily determined by factors such as the operating frequency of the radar, the size of the antenna aperture, and the processing techniques used to reconstruct the radar image. Typically, StripMap SAR systems can achieve resolutions ranging from a few meters to tens of meters. This capability enables detailed imaging and mapping of ground features with a high degree of clarity and precision, making it suitable for applications such as terrain mapping, urban planning and disaster monitoring where spatial details are crucial.