F-SAR, “Flugzeug-SAR”, is an airborne high-resolution imaging radar (Synthetic Aperture Radar) sensor presently operated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Microwaves and Radar Institute (HR) since November 02, 2006. It is operated on a Dornier Do-228 aircraft from altitudes of 2000 to 6000 m above ground in five different center frequency bands (X,C,S,L,P). Wavelengths range from 3 cm, 5 cm, 9 cm, 23 cm to 67 cm. Ka-band (1 cm wavelength) is planned to be added. Up to four center-frequencies (X,S,L,P) or (X,C,L,P) can be operated simultaneously per overflight. All frequencies are fully polarimetric (HH,HV,VV,VH) and have full repeat-pass capabilities. Single-pass interferometry in along-track (ATI) and across-track mode is available in X-band (ATI and/or XTI) and S-band (XTI). Data are processed up to three different levels: RGI (Radar Geometry Image product), INF (Repeat-pass-interferometric product) and GTC (Geocoded and Terrain-Corrected product). Resolutions range from 25 cm (X-band) to 1.5 m (P-band) in both azimuth and range direction. Data acquisition modes are typically “stripmap”, “repeat-pass” (two parallel tracks), “tomography” (several parallel tracks), ”circular” (one circle) or “circular-tomography” (several vertically distributed circles). Individually planned experiments can also be supported.

For more information concerning F-SAR data, the reader is referred to: www.dlr.de/hr/f-sar