Hinotori-C: A Full Polarimetric C Band Airborne Circularly Polarized Synthetic Aperture Radar for Disaster Monitoring

This paper aims to present the design and development work of a full polarimetric Circularly Polarized Synthetic Aperture Radar (CP-SAR) system. The CP-SAR sensor is operating in C band with center frequency of 5.3 GHz, operational bandwidth ranged from 100 MHz to 400 MHz, and transmitting peak power of 280 watt. Four circularly polarized antennas (2 units with left handed circularly polarized and 2 units with right handed circularly polarized) were designed and developed with approximately 22 dBic of gain, and beamwidth of 13° and 6° in range and azimuth direction, respectively. This paper also presents the results from the laboratory test and ground test of the CP-SAR sensor, as well as, the flight test results obtained from the maiden flight of the CP-SAR system using CASA/IPTN CN235-MPA aircraft.