First TerraSAR-X TOPS Mode Antenna Pattern Measurements Using Ground Receivers

The antenna model used for correcting the influence of the antenna pattern on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images requires on-ground validation and in-flight verification. A methodology for the in-flight verification that is based upon the measurement of azimuth antenna patterns using ground recei...

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Main Authors: Gabriel Castellanos Alfonzo, Marco Schwerdt, Steffen Wollstadt, Markus Bachmann, Björn Döring, Dirk Geudtner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:International Journal of Antennas and Propagation
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/635069
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author Gabriel Castellanos Alfonzo
Marco Schwerdt
Steffen Wollstadt
Markus Bachmann
Björn Döring
Dirk Geudtner
author_facet Gabriel Castellanos Alfonzo
Marco Schwerdt
Steffen Wollstadt
Markus Bachmann
Björn Döring
Dirk Geudtner
author_sort Gabriel Castellanos Alfonzo
collection DOAJ
description The antenna model used for correcting the influence of the antenna pattern on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images requires on-ground validation and in-flight verification. A methodology for the in-flight verification that is based upon the measurement of azimuth antenna patterns using ground receivers has been successfully demonstrated for the operational SAR modes of the TerraSAR-X (TSX) and TanDEM-X (TDX) missions. Recently, the novel (terrain observation by progressive scans) TOPS mode was for the first time implemented as an experimental mode on TerraSAR-X to demonstrate its feasibility in support of its implementation on ESA's Sentinel-1 mission. In this mode, besides scanning in elevation, the antenna beam is steered in flight direction from aft to the front at a constant rate to achieve an enhanced radiometric image performance. This paper discusses the methodology and presents results of the first in-flight antenna characterization of a SAR instrument operating in TOPS mode, in this case TerraSAR-X, using ground receivers. The results demonstrate that the TOPS one-way azimuth antenna pattern can be accurately modeled by the TSX antenna model indicating the general suitability of this approach for the in-flight antenna model verification during TOPS mode operations.
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issn 1687-5869
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publishDate 2013-01-01
publisher Wiley
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series International Journal of Antennas and Propagation
spelling doaj-art-e197c7e599e642d6a06440667f64820e2025-08-20T03:21:00ZengWileyInternational Journal of Antennas and Propagation1687-58691687-58772013-01-01201310.1155/2013/635069635069First TerraSAR-X TOPS Mode Antenna Pattern Measurements Using Ground ReceiversGabriel Castellanos Alfonzo0Marco Schwerdt1Steffen Wollstadt2Markus Bachmann3Björn Döring4Dirk Geudtner5German Aerospace Center (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, 82234 Wessling, GermanyGerman Aerospace Center (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, 82234 Wessling, GermanyGerman Aerospace Center (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, 82234 Wessling, GermanyGerman Aerospace Center (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, 82234 Wessling, GermanyGerman Aerospace Center (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, 82234 Wessling, GermanyEuropean Space Agency (ESA-ESTEC), Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG Noordwijk, The NetherlandsThe antenna model used for correcting the influence of the antenna pattern on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images requires on-ground validation and in-flight verification. A methodology for the in-flight verification that is based upon the measurement of azimuth antenna patterns using ground receivers has been successfully demonstrated for the operational SAR modes of the TerraSAR-X (TSX) and TanDEM-X (TDX) missions. Recently, the novel (terrain observation by progressive scans) TOPS mode was for the first time implemented as an experimental mode on TerraSAR-X to demonstrate its feasibility in support of its implementation on ESA's Sentinel-1 mission. In this mode, besides scanning in elevation, the antenna beam is steered in flight direction from aft to the front at a constant rate to achieve an enhanced radiometric image performance. This paper discusses the methodology and presents results of the first in-flight antenna characterization of a SAR instrument operating in TOPS mode, in this case TerraSAR-X, using ground receivers. The results demonstrate that the TOPS one-way azimuth antenna pattern can be accurately modeled by the TSX antenna model indicating the general suitability of this approach for the in-flight antenna model verification during TOPS mode operations.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/635069
spellingShingle Gabriel Castellanos Alfonzo
Marco Schwerdt
Steffen Wollstadt
Markus Bachmann
Björn Döring
Dirk Geudtner
First TerraSAR-X TOPS Mode Antenna Pattern Measurements Using Ground Receivers
International Journal of Antennas and Propagation
title First TerraSAR-X TOPS Mode Antenna Pattern Measurements Using Ground Receivers
title_full First TerraSAR-X TOPS Mode Antenna Pattern Measurements Using Ground Receivers
title_fullStr First TerraSAR-X TOPS Mode Antenna Pattern Measurements Using Ground Receivers
title_full_unstemmed First TerraSAR-X TOPS Mode Antenna Pattern Measurements Using Ground Receivers
title_short First TerraSAR-X TOPS Mode Antenna Pattern Measurements Using Ground Receivers
title_sort first terrasar x tops mode antenna pattern measurements using ground receivers
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/635069
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AT steffenwollstadt firstterrasarxtopsmodeantennapatternmeasurementsusinggroundreceivers
AT markusbachmann firstterrasarxtopsmodeantennapatternmeasurementsusinggroundreceivers
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