Terrain imaging using a SAR system based on reflected GPS signals

This paper describes a 3D multi-static synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging system which utilises reflected GPS signals from moving objects on the Earth's surface. The principle of bi-static radar is used to model the reflected GPS signals. The movement of a visible GPS satellite serves as a base for a synthetic aperture over an observation time period. As an example, a MATLAB simulation has been carried out in order to detect the movement of imaged object sunder the assumption of one static GPS receiver with two targets which move with different speeds. The influence of the visible satellite'sposition and velocity on the spatial resolution of such a SAR system isdiscussed. Simulation results show that by measuring the cross-correlation of the reflected GPS signal from the terrain and objects on it,the detection of the objects can enjoy a good spatial resolution for thecase of moving objects and a moving GPS receiver. Furthermore, thespatial resolution is also related to the selection of visible GPS satelliteswith respect to their azimuths, elevations and velocities. This systemhas the following useful features: (a) no dedicated signal transmitter is required; (b) the GPS signal frequency is reused; (c) GPS operates round-the-clock and its signals cover the entire Earth's surface; (d) low power consumption; and (e) known GPS signal structure.