INTA´s new RBX polarimetric SAR. System overview, performance and calibration after first trials

RBX is a new X-Band SAR system prototype developed by INTA Radar Laboratory as an evolution of the previous prototype RIX. The first prototype RBX-P1, available since 2012, has interferometric and full-polarimetric capabilities with submetric resolution. Its main features are its modular design, allowing easy upgradeable capabilities; the inclusion of a real time on board processing and the emphasis on system on board calibration with several internal loops in the front-end and a complete temperature monitoring scheme. In this paper, RBX system architecture and subsystems capabilities are shown. System on ground characterization and calibration performances, both internal and external, in order to improve RBX data products are also presented.