Synthetic aperture radar imaging using a unique approach to frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar design

Synthetic-aperture-radar (SAR) imaging is an expensive endeavor. It can be difficult for universities, small business, or individuals to experiment with SAR imaging and algorithm development on a low budget. For this reason, a uniquely inexpensive solution to frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar was developed and then utilized as an ultra-low-cost SAR imaging system. This unique approach to FMCW radar used a pair of low-cost Gunn-oscillator-based microwave transceiver modules, known as "Gunnplexers." These transceiver modules had stability and noise problems, causing them to be unsuitable for use in precise FMCW radar applications when just one module was used. In order to overcome this problem, a unique radar solution was developed that used a combination of two transceiver modules to create a precise and inexpensive FMCW radar system, capable of producing SAR imagery on a budget.