Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Coherent Change Detection (CDD)
Abstract
The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Coherent Change Detection (CCD) Initiative encompassed four phases to develop deployable systems capable of SAR with real time CCD processing to provide over the horizon alerts for terrain changes above a given threshold. The focus is on increasing the situational awareness of small dispersed units operating in large areas. Phase One (FY2008) validated the performance of existing lightweight SAR systems using CCD for detecting a variety of human activities through rigorous testing. Phase Two (FY2009) demonstrated near real-time CCD on a manned SAR-equipped platform. Results were used to determine functional requirements and develop a system concept of operations (CONOPS). Phase Three (FY2009) developed the engineering enhancements necessary to integrate a real time SAR CCD capability on a small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). All necessary software was developed during this phase. Phase Four (FY 2010 / FY 2011) extended the capability to an affordable small unmanned aircraft with a miniaturized SAR system. Phase Four decreased procurement costs of a small SAR with a real time CCD capability to $500,000 per sensor package. This compares to a current cost of approximately $1.2 million for a spot SAR system. Upon the conclusion of the project, SAR CCD was incorporated via the Leonardo radar into the Shadow 200 (UAV) Program of Record . The US Army has adopted the CCD capability for use on the STARTLite radar which is used on the Grey Eagle (US Army Predator varient). The project also demonstrated a ground based processing capability that could be used for other radars beyond the STARTLite and ImSAR systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- P745_0603745D8Z_3_0400_PB_2012