Synthetic Aperture Radar for Helicopter Landing in Degraded Visual Environments

Abstract

This report analyzes the forward-looking synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system for helicopter landing assistance in degraded visual environments, currently under design at the US Army Research Laboratory. The main focus of the investigation is on SAR imaging and antenna array processing techniques. In particular, the systems point spread function is analyzed in detail by quantifying the main performance metrics: resolution, sidelobes, and grating lobes. Analytic and numeric results are illustrated with 3-D graphics. Tradeoffs and performance improvement methods are discussed. Additionally, we review several options for antenna array design and undertake a sensitivity study of the 3-D SAR image quality with respect to platform positioning errors. A design case study is presented as well, emphasizing aspects such as radar waveforms, timing, and power requirements.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 13, 2018
Accession Number
AD1064582

Entities

People

  • Traian V. Dogaru

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Antenna Arrays
  • Antennas
  • Arrays
  • Case Studies
  • Computational Complexity
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Detectors
  • Geometry
  • Helicopters
  • Military Research
  • Multiple Input Multiple Output
  • Radar
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Synthetic Aperture Radar
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional

Readers

  • Phased Array Antenna Design.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design