A new C-band SAR for ERS-1 underflights

Since 1986 the Electromagnetics Institute, the Technical University of Denmark, has designed, build and tested a high resolution airborne C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar, SAR. The first test flights took place in November and December 1989. The radar design has been based on digital technology to the largest possible extent, to make the system as adaptable as possible. This has resulted in a very flexible radar with variable resolution, swathwidth, and imaging geometry to mention just a few of the more important features. Special attention was paid to system calibration when the system was designed. This paper will outline design considerations, and discuss selected features in relation to the implementation (for instance: the digital system, the aircraft, the antenna and its installation as well as the calibration system), and the first test results will be shown. Finally the on-going system developments and project plans are briefly described.