DLR – GERMAN AEROSPACE CENTER (DE)
The activity aims to develop and industrialize new algorithms that exploit multistatic and bistatic SAR data, leveraging angular diversity to improve target detection and moving target identification techniques. The project has explored advanced SAR processing algorithms across four main research areas: moving target indication for ground and maritime applications, high-resolution imaging with continuous coverage, detection and localization of radio frequency interference, and 3D modeling of structures from single SAR images. These techniques have been successfully tested, demonstrating strong potential for enhanced SAR-based security applications.
With the growing availability of small satellites and companion missions, these distributed sensing concepts — long studied theoretically — are now becoming practically viable. The project has completed its demonstration phase, showcasing how multi- and bistatic SAR systems can significantly enhance operational capabilities. Future short-term activities will focus on further demonstrations, using experimental bistatic configurations or multichannel SAR data for target tracking and resolution enhancement. Collaboration with commercial satellite operators will be essential to facilitate acquisitions in bistatic or pursuit monostatic modes. Additional work on 3D structure modeling will involve testing different acquisition geometries and validating results on new target structures.
