Method and apparatus for collection and processing of interferometric synthetic aperture radar data

Abstract

A system and method provide for the collection of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IFSAR) data. In the system, a first space vehicle configured for emitting electro-magnetic energy and collecting the reflection from a region of interest (ROI), may be directed along a first orbital track. The collected image data may be stored and later provided to a ground station for image and interferometric processing. A second space vehicle may also be configured for emission and collection of electro-magnetic energy reflected from the plurality of ROI's. The second space vehicle is positioned in an aligned orbit with respect to the first space vehicle where the separation between the vehicles is known. In order to minimize decorrelation of the ROI during image processing, the lead and trail satellite are configured to substantially simultaneously emit electromagnetic pulses image data collection. In order to avoid interference in the collection of this image data, each system is configured to control the emission of pulses such that the receipt of direct and bistatic pulses by the other vehicles does not interfere with data collection.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.