Real-Time Onboard Processing and Ground Based Monitoring of FMCW-SAR Videos

Airborne real-time SAR processing and ground based monitoring and observation of large areas by a remotely controlled radar sensor offers a variety of new and interesting applications. This is achieved through a compact and powerful radar system and a long-distance data link for the platform. In this paper we present the signal processing aspects for an efficient real-time SAR processing implementation. Further we describe the projection and transmission of the individual SAR images to a continuously flowing video signal and the used approximations in the millimeter wave domain. First results of the full operational system are demonstrated and compared to the post processed high resolution SAR images. Finally, an outlook is given on forthcoming expansions and possible scenarios.