Optical processor for SAR image formation: system development

Carl C. Aleksoff; Ivan Cindrich; Nikola S. Subotic; T. Blessing; L. M. Przebienda

doi:10.1117/12.178060

17 June 1994 Optical processor for SAR image formation: system development

Carl C. Aleksoff, Ivan Cindrich, Nikola S. Subotic, T. Blessing, L. M. Przebienda

Proceedings Volume 2236, Transition of Optical Processing into Systems 1994; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.178060
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1994, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

We describe the current status of a hybrid optical processor being developed for real-time synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image formation. The processor is being developed for insertion into the ERIM spotlight mode SAR airborne data collection system under the ARPA TOPS program monitored by the Army Research Lab. A 2D Fourier transforming time-integrating interferometrically based optical processor is a key element of the system. The optical processor uses a modulated laser diode for radar signal insertion, crossed 1D acousto-optic scanners for 2D scanning, a modified Koster interferometer for fringe generation, and fast detector arrays for light detection and integration. The image space-bandwidth-product and dynamic range are enhanced by processing time-multiplexed interlaced image subpatches at real-time rates. Digital pre- and post-processing play essential roles in the system enhancement. The final image is a mosaic of the subpatch images. The optical processor design approach lends itself to the important attributes of high (real-time) data rates, multiple SAR mode processing capabilities, compact and rugged packaging, and power efficiency.

Citation Download Citation

Carl C. Aleksoff, Ivan Cindrich, Nikola S. Subotic, T. Blessing, and L. M. Przebienda "Optical processor for SAR image formation: system development", Proc. SPIE 2236, Transition of Optical Processing into Systems 1994, (17 June 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.178060

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