X-BAND MINI SAR RADAR ON EIGHT-ROTOR MINI-UAV

An X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), the mini-SAR, mounted on an eight-rotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), has been designed, built and tested at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. The main purpose of this work is to design a light-weight, cost-effective and easy-handy miniaturize SAR system with the ability to make repeated flights for an extended study. Real-time collected data can effectively test the validity of a newly proposed image algorithm. The system can apply in modeling and calculating the scattering characteristics of complex target such as tank which is vital in military reconnaissance. Recent tests have shown that the system is suitable for further experiments to validate the SAR system design via changing the parameter setting. This paper outlines design parameters and specifications for the mini-SAR, together with results from experimental data collection and test flights.