A new bistatic-based sparse linear array 3D imaging SAR model

A bistatic-based sparse linear array three dimensional (3D) imaging SAR (BSLASAR) is demonstrated and its resolution characteristic are analyzed in this paper. First, the principle of the BSLASAR is presented, the echo model is build and the imaging condition of BSLASAR is derived. The 3D BP (back projection) algorithm is introduced to focus the 3D SAR data. Then 3D PSF is analyzed, and the 3D spatial resolution expressions of BSLASAR are obtained. It is proved that the 2D horizontal PSF can be decomposed into two independent 1D PSF, the along track (AT) PSF and the cross track (CT) PSF, when the linear array direction is perpendicular to the AT direction. Compared to other configurations, this system inherits the advantages of conventional bistatic SAR and has these additional advantages: the receiver antenna phase center (APC) control precise is more flexibility than the curved SAR (CSAR), the hardware expenditure is saved and the couples between the elements are avoided.