Cross-range resolution of synthetic aperture radar based on diving model

This paper concentrates on the cross-range resolution of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) based on diving model. In comparison to the azimuth resolution, the cross-range resolution can manifest the two-dimensional resolution ability of the imaging sensor SAR correctly. The diving model of SAR is an extended model from the conventional stripmap model, and the cross-range resolution expression is deduced from the equivalent linear frequency modulation pulses’ compression. This expression points out that only the cross-range velocity component of the horizontal velocity contributes to the cross-range resolution. Also the cross-range resolution expressions and the performance of the conventional stripmap operation, squint side-look opera-tion and beam circular-scanning operation are discussed. The cross-range resolution expression based on diving model will provide more general and more accurate reference.