Astrium Gmbh

Dornier Gmbh

Airbus Defence and Space Gmbh

Deutsches Zentrum Fur Luft-und Raumfahrt E.v.

Airbus Ds Gmbh

Christoph Schaefer

Max Eibert

Gerhard Krieger

Christoph Heer

Bernhard Grafmueller

Jörg Hippler

Harald Hopfmuller

Andrea Federico Loinger

Rolf Katzenbeisser

Francisco Lopez-Dekker

Marwan Younis

Bernhard GRAFMÜLLER

A preprocessing technique for synthetic radar images. An embodiment of a method for preprocessing synthetic aperture radar images includes: receiving range-compressed radar data generated from raw radar image data on-board a satellite or an airborne vehicle; generating a preliminary SAR image by performing a pre-focusing on the range-compressed radar data; extracting image subsectors from the preliminary SAR image; transmitting the extracted image subsectors to an on-ground portion; reconstructing the range-compressed radar data pertaining to the extracted image subsectors; and making the range-compressed radar data pertaining to the extracted image subsectors available for a Nominal synthetic aperture radar processor, wherein the Nominal synthetic aperture radar processor is configured to generate a focused SAR image having a nominal value of image resolution that is higher than the resolution of the preliminary SAR image.

Synthetic aperture radar data reduction for satellites

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system and method of processing signals in a SAR system. The SAR system includes includes a radar antenna having at least one partial antenna, of which each at least one partial antenna includes a plurality of phase centers with assigned transmit/receive modules and a signal processor for coherent processing of signals of the phase centers. The signal processors include a hybrid beam forming module structured and arranged to digitize and process analog receive signals received by the transmit/receive modules of the phase centers, and to convert the digitally processed receive signals into analog signals. Further, an analog receive network is structured and arranged to combine the analog signals of respective transmit/receive modules with one another to form an output signal.

Radar system with synthetic aperture

The invention relates to a high-resolution synthetic aperture radar device () comprising at least one transmitting antenna (TX-TX) for producing and emitting radar pulses for scanning an object (), a receiving antenna () for receiving the radar beams () emitted and reflected by an object, wherein the receiving antenna () has several sub-apertures (RX-RX) arranged along elevation, which form a minimum of azimuth apertures, wherein the high-resolution synthetic aperture radar device is embodied such that pulse signals () are emitted at irregular time intervals.

High-resolution synthetic aperture radar device and antenna for one such radar

In an obstacle device, a front end range imaging sensor is used to scan the viewing field relative to the aircraft, while a navigation system provides information concerning the postion and altitude of the aircraft. A data processor uses these data to generate 3-d scene vectors, such that every range image is converted into a measurement point set, from which the presence of cables or wires is detected using a wire detection procedure based on the Hough Transform. For this purpose, an HT acceleration board is provided, which needs not perform complex floating point operations. The processed results are then input to an evaluation module, which determines whether any detected wires are proximate to the position of the aircraft.

Wire detection procedure for low-flying aircraft

Obstacle warning system for low-flying airborne craft in which case the edge contours of the obstacles are visualized for the pilot in a display.

Obstacle detection system for low-flying airborne craft

A range imaging sensor for classifying and determining the position and orientation of remote objects combines a high resolution three-dimensional range imaging camera with a conventionally configured data processor. Three-dimensional object geometry sensed by the camera is compared with a plurality of three-dimensional models stored in a memory of the data processor. The spacial relationship between iteratively selected models and the sensed object is evaluated for varying positions and orientations of the model, and an optimum object classification and object position/orientation are detected and transmitted as an output signal.

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Friedrichshafen, Germany

Christoph Schaefer