Data Acquisition

This chapter focuses on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. It first provides an introduction to SAR systems and detail how data are acquired, whereas the main parameters related to SAR systems such as azimuth resolution and range resolution and the main acquisition modes. The chapter introduces radar systems which is included to better deal with the interaction of the radar emitted and transmitted signals with targets. SAR systems are frequently placed on military and commercial aircrafts, reducing costs when compared to satellite deployments. Spatial resolution is a key issue when dealing with acquired data. The chapter briefs SAR imaging techniques and the several available SAR acquisition modes are: Stripmap, Spotlight, Scan. Radar cross section measures the ability to detect an object by the radar, which is to reflect part of the energy transmitted by the radar toward the illuminated area. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.