A Novel Ka-band Digitally Beamformed Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar for Glacier and Ice-sheet Topographic Mapping: Concept and Technology

In this paper we describe a novel, Ka-band digital beamforming interferometric radar for land-ice surface topographic mapping. By use of digital beamforming in elevation as opposed to a standard strip-map system, we achieve order-of-magnitude savings in transmit power without sacrificing swath extent. Our concept of a singlepass, single-platform synthetic aperture radar interferometer has the potential for delivering topographic maps at high spatial resolution, high vertical accuracy, independent of cloud cover, with a subseasonal update. We describe our work to date on this unique sensor, including mission definition, and technology demonstration of the digital beamforming array.