Satellite SAR Testing Framework for Integrated Sensing and Communication

Modern advancements in wireless communication and sensing technologies are driving the integration of different services, enhancing overall performance through automation and situational awareness concepts. Consequently, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) has emerged as a promising research field, in particular for radar-based technologies such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). In this background, this paper presents a novel ISAC target that exploits code modulation backscattering to integrate transparent communications in consolidated satellite SARs, without requiring updates or modification in systems already in operation. Insights into the ISAC target and the transparent communication link are provided, supported by the evaluation of the proposal through a novel testing framework that emulates the ISAC target using real data from ESA Sentinel-1 SAR satellites.