An Innovative Internal Calibration Strategy and Implementation for LT-1 Bistatic Spaceborne SAR

Abstract

Bistatic and multistatic SAR technology, with its multi-dimensional, ultra-wide swath, and high-resolution advantages, is widely used in earth observation, military reconnaissance, deep space exploration, and other fields. The LuTan-1 (LT-1) mission employs two full-polarimetric L-band SAR satellites for the BiSAR system. The bistatic mode introduces phase errors in echo reception paths due to different transmission links, making echo compensation a key factor in ensuring BiSAR performance. This paper proposes a novel bistatic internal calibration strategy that combines ground temperature compensation, in-orbit internal calibration, and pulsed alternate synchronization to achieve echo compensation. Prior to launch, temperature compensation data for the internal calibration system are obtained via temperature experiments. During in-orbit operation, calibration data are acquired by executing the internal calibration pulse sequence and noninterrupted pulsed alternate synchronization. In ground processing, echo compensation is completed based on the above two parts of calibration data. A comprehensive analysis of the entire calibration chain reveals a temperature compensation accuracy of 0.10 dB/1.38°. Additionally, a ground verification system is established to conduct BiSAR experiments, achieving a phase synchronization accuracy of 0.16°. Furthermore, the in-orbit test obtained DSM products with an average error of 1.3 m. This strategy provides a valuable reference for future spaceborne bistatic and multistatic SAR systems.