SBIR-STTR Award

RADSAR is an innovation which provides aperture synthesis radiometer technology with the performance potential to exceed existing needs for military and commercial/civilian high resolution electromagnetic mapping and sensing of meterological phenomena. Microwave electromagnetic radiometry has long been seen as the premier technology for meterological sensing by virtue of its inherent performance characteristics. However, it has languished compared to elecro-optical techniques and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) because it has needed very large antennas for good performance. RADSAR overcomes this problem by synthesizing a large aperture like a SAR. In this option we will provide conceptual designs and performance evaluations for airborne and spaceborne meteorological and environmental sensor systems and we will analyze the potential for commercial development. Validation will be provided by computer modeling and design review. This new technology can benefit spaceborne and airborne meteorological, environmental and military intelligence systems. A major commercialization study effort has revealed a wide range of interested potential customers including agribusiness, banks, commodities brokers, and local government air quality management districts, in addition to NASA and the military.

RADSAR is a technology innovation to provide passive imaging with the performance potential to excceed existing needs for high resolution mapping and sensing of meteorological phenomena and to provide all-weather, day-night, military reconnaissance. Microwave electromagnetic radiometry has long been seen as the premier technology for such sensing by virtue of its inherent performance characteristics. However, compared to electro-optical techniques and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) it has n eeded very large antennas for good performance. RADSAR overcomes this problem by synthesizing a large aperture like a SAR. In this Phase II program we will provide two hardware demonstrations to show that RADSAR technology is a valid way to satisfy requirements for airborne and spaceborne meteorological and environmental and military reconnaissance and intelligence sensor systems that cannot be met by current technology. This new technology can benefit spaceborne and airborne meteorological, environmental and military intelligence systems. The National Weather Service and military intelligence and reconnaissance groups have expressed interest. In addition a commercialization study has revealed a wide range of potential customers including agribusiness, banks, commodities brokers, and local government air quality management districts.

Keywords:
RADIOMETRY METEROLOGICAL SENSING ELECTRO-OPTICAL APERTURE SYNTHESIS RADIOMETRY