Real aperture side-looking airborne radar

The history and modern evolution of SLAR, its geometry and equations, and the dynamic range problems are considered, in addition to the ways of performing radar imagery. A special technique for image speckle reduction used in the Vigie SLAR is described and illustrated. Calibration strategy is discussed around the following themes: relative or absolute; internal or external; distributed area or point target. Standard point targets such as spherical, triangular and Luneberg reflectors are discussed. The in-flight calibration campaign for the Vigie SLAR is described in detail. A discussion of measurement accuracy and recommendations for future imaging SLAR design are presented.