Azimuth signal processing for near-space high-resolution and wide-swath SAR imaging

Near-space defined as the space region between 20 km and 100 km can offer many capabilities that are not accessible for satellites and airplanes. By placing transmitter/receiver inside near-space platforms, many functions that are currently performed with satellites or airplanes could be performed much more cheaply and with greater operational unity. It appears that near-space can provide a satisfied solution to high-resolution and wide-swath (HRWS) SAR imaging. Inspired by these promising advantages, this paper describes the concept of near-space HRWS SAR for remote sensing applications. A multiple-beam based azimuth ambiguity suppression technique is presented. The system concepts, signal models, and corresponding azimuth signal processing algorithms are provided. An example near-space HRWS SAR system is conceptually designed.