Basics of Space Based Radar

  • Overview
  • Course Content
  • Requirements & Materials
Overview

Basics of Space Based Radar

Course Description

The course, Fundamentals of Space-Based Radar, explores theory, applications, and orbital considerations for both synthetic aperture radar and moving target indication modes. Engineers, scientists, and managers working with space-based radar will benefit by examining space-based radar technology issues, including electronically scanned antennas, waveforms, and on-board processing. 

Course Content

Radar Principles  

  • Radar Range Equation 
  • Pulse Doppler Processing 

SBR Waveform Trades 

  • Radar Principles – Pulse Doppler Processing 
  • Pulse Compression Waveforms  

Radar Principles – Pulse Doppler Processing 

SBR Clutter and Interference 

  • Types of Interference 
  • Land, Sea, and Atmospheric Clutter 
  • Modeling Clutter 
  • Platform Induced Doppler Shifts 

Introduction to Synthetic Aperture Radar 

  • Principles and Relationships 
  • SAR PRF and Coverage 
  • Image Quality 
  • SAR from Space 

Introduction to SAR Signal Processing 

  • Signal Characteristics 
  • Range Doppler Algorithm 
  • Attitude Control and Doppler Estimation 
  • Image Processing Issues 

Digital Terrain Models and 3D Interferometric SAR 

  • Measuring Height 
  • Concepts and Processing Steps 

SBR Signal Processing 

  • Moving Target Detection 
  • Clutter and Interference Rejection 

Orbital Considerations for SAR 

  • LEO, MEO, GEO, and Walker Constellation 
  • Tradeoffs with SNR, etc. 

Brief Survey of SBR Systems, including SAR, Rendezvous Radars, Altimeters and Scatterometers 

Satellite System Engineering 

  • Power 
  • Telemetry 
  • Attitude and Orbit Control 
  • Propulsion 
  • Structure 
  • Thermal Management 
  • Functions, Architectures, and MMIC Technologies 
  • Efficiency and Power Conditioning 
  • Microwave Power Modules (MPMs) 
  • Reliability and Production Considerations 

Space Antenna Technology 

  • Parabolic Reflectors versus Phased Arrays 
  • Antenna Performance Estimation 
  • Phased Array Design Constraints 
  • Basic Phased Array Analysis 
  • Phased Array Transmit/Receive Modules 
  • Beamwidth and Bandwidth 
  • Special Considerations for Space 

Satellite Tool Kit (STK) Demonstration 

  • Key Features, Tutorial 

Fundamentals of Adaptive Radar  

  • Multichannel Sensors and Digital Beamforming 
  • Space-Time Adaptive Processing (STAP) 

Adaptive Detection Techniques for Space-Based Radar  

  • Sample Matrix Inversion (SMI) Adaptive Filtering 
  • Clutter Range Dependence and Heterogeneity 
  • Adaptive SBR Signal Processing Architecture 

Bistatic Radar in Space  

  • Bistatic and Monostatic Comparison 
  • Bistatic Radar Operation and Geometry 
  • Bistatic SBR Deployments 
  • Bistatic SBR Systems, Concepts, and Example 
  • Bistatic Clutter Mitigation for MTI Radar 

GMTI and SAR Performance Prediction 

Requirements & Materials

Important Information

This course requires completion of an access eligibility form. Please make sure you read the Course Restrictions section below before registering for this course. 

Prerequisites

Recommended:

Principles of Modern Radar

Materials

Provided: 

Digital presentation slides (in-person and virtual courses) 

Notebook of presentation slides (in-person only) 

Course Restrictions

This course is restricted to US citizens who are industrial and/or government employees and complete the Access Eligibility Form. To submit documentation, navigate to the “Session Details” section below, choose your session, and click “Request Approval”. You will then be directed to the page where you can download the form, complete it, and upload the document. Once approved, you will receive an email confirming your access to register for the course. Eligibility questions should be directed to 404-407-6661. Please email rs-short-course@gtri.gatech.edu or steffany.trent@gtri.gatech.edu for additional details or questions. 

Session Details

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for engineers, scientists, and managers with a desire to understand the special considerations inherent with space-based radar.  Some prior familiarity with basic radar concepts is recommended. 

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What You Will Learn

  • Radar principles and pulse-Doppler processing. 
  • Orbital considerations for space-based radar. 
  • Space-based radar clutter and interference. 
  • Introduction to synthetic aperture radar and signal processing. 
  • Digital terrain models and 3D interferometric synthetic aperture radar. 
  • Space antenna technology. 
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How You Will Benefit

  • Understand design constraints for space-based radar. 
  • Be able to predict performance for the synthetic aperture radar mode. 
  • Know how to predict performance for ground-moving target indication radar. 
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    Taught by Experts in the Field

The course schedule was well-structured with a mix of lectures, class discussions, and hands-on exercises led by knowledgeable and engaging instructors.

- Abe Kani
President

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