Random sampling adaptively focusing synthetic aperture radar

A high resolution narrow angle of view imaging radar system is considered that employs an airborne synthetic aperture of 600 meters operating at X-band to produce a beamwidth of approximately 0.05 mr. This system differs from a conventional SAR in that only a smaller number of wavefront samples, spaced randomly over the aperture are processed, and adaptive beamforming with open loop scanning is used. As a result, the processing requirements are reduced to within the capability of present day small computer technology, and the tolerance on flight stability is loosened by about 100:1. The system is described and initial analysis and evaluation results are presented.