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Status of a UAVSAR designed for repeat pass interferometry for deformation measurementsNASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is currently implementing a reconfigurable polarimetric L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), specifically designed to acquire airborne repeat track interferometric (RTI) SAR data, also known as differential interferometric measurements. Differential interferometry can provide key deformation measurements, important for the scientific studies of Earthquakes and volcanoes. Using precision real-time GPS and a sensor controlled flight management system, the system will be able to fly predefined paths with great precision. The expected performance of the flight control system will constrain the flight path to be within a 10 m diameter tube about the desired flight track. The radar wilI be designed to operate on a UAV (Unpiloted Aria1 Vehicle) but will initially be demonstrated on a minimally piloted vehicle (MPV), such as the Proteus buitt by Scaled Composites or on a NASA Gulfstream III. The radar design is a fully polarimetric with an 80 MHz bandwidth (2 m range resolution) and 16 km range swath. The antenna is an electronically steered along track to assure that the actual antenna pointing can be controlled independent of the wind direction and speed. Other features supported by the antenna include an elevation monopulse option and a pulse-to-pulse resteering capability that will enable some novel modes of operation. The system will nominally operate at 45,000 ft (13800 m). The program began out as an Instrument Incubator Project (IIP) funded by NASA Earth Science and Technology Office (ESTO).
Document ID
20060044295
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Hensley, Scott
Wheeler, Kevin
Sadowy, Greg
Miller, Tim
Shaffer, Scott
Muellerschoen, Ron
Jones, Cathleen
Zebker, Howard
Madsen, Soren
Paul, Rose
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
June 12, 2005
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Microwave Symposium
Location: Long Beach, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: June 12, 2005
End Date: June 17, 2005
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
electronically scanned array
radar
synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
Unpiloted Arial Vehicle (UAV)
interferometry

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