Multi channel approaches for an automotive synthetic aperture radar

This paper presents approaches which improve Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images for automotive applications with the use of digital beamforming preprocessing of the multi channel radar data. The classical SAR modes stripmap, spotlight and squinted SAR are implemented. Additionally, the displaced phase center method is applied. The classical beamforming approach for an uniform linear array is described. Finally, the different SAR modes are presented and their improvement on the image is demonstrated using measurements of a parking lot scenario. The focus of this paper is on the better recognition of surfaces that are not directly illuminated by the radar main beam.