System Characterization and Polarimetric Calibration of the Ku-Band Advanced Polarimetric Interferometer

This paper addresses the system characterization and the polarimetric calibration of the Ku-Band Advanced Polarimetric Interferometer (KAPRI). KAPRI is an FMCW ground-based real aperture radar system that uses slotted waveguide antennas. The rotation of the antennas introduces undesired phase ramps in azimuth. We present a geometrical model to account for this phase, and propose a method to correct it. Experimental data with a set of trihedral corner reflectors (TCR) in the scene was acquired with the system. A linear phase variation of 30 degrees was observed over the TCR which was geometrically modeled and successfully corrected.