TerraSAR-X System Performance Characterization and Verification

The paper presents results from the SAR System Performance characterization, optimization and verification as carried out during the TerraSAR-X commissioning phase. Starting from the acquisition geometry and instrument performance, the fundamental acquisition parameters elevation beam definition, range timing, receiving gain and BAQ setting are presented. The verification of the key performance parameters ambiguities, noise and radiometric resolution, impulse response function is discussed. ScanSAR and Spotlight particularities are describe