In recent years, driven by growing application demands, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology has experienced rapid development. Its functional modes have expanded from strip‑map imaging and spotlight imaging to Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI), wide‑area sea‑surface search and target tracking, Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) imaging, multi‑polarimetric imaging and more. The adoption of new‑system architectures, innovative methodologies, advanced devices and new materials has continuously improved SAR performance indicators such as resolution, while progressively reducing the weight, volume and power consumption of equipment.
Deploying advanced, lightweight multi‑functional miniaturized SAR systems on various flight platforms represents a vital development direction for SAR technology in remote‑sensing applications. Aiming at this industry trend, Tianjing Yunhu consistently pursues independent innovation and has developed a series of lightweight, multi‑mode SAR payload systems compatible with multiple UAV platforms. This document introduces a pulse‑mode Ku‑band compact SAR payload integrated with the VertiCal Take‑Off and Landing (VTOL) fixed‑wing UAV, Zongheng CW‑100.
Index Parameter Table
The CW‑100 is a medium‑sized general‑purpose hybrid‑power VTOL fixed‑wing UAV featuring large payload capacity and long endurance. It can carry diverse mission payloads for reconnaissance, inspection, mapping and other missions. The integration of compact SAR payloads with UAVs helps maximize the overall performance of UAV‑borne remote‑sensing systems. As an active detection sensor, SAR compensates for the limitations of electro‑optical payloads and enables UAV platforms with all‑weather and day‑night detection capability. Featuring high resolution and wide‑area coverage, mini‑SAR improves operational efficiency, facilitates practical deployment and lowers costs for UAV missions.
System Setup Diagram
System flight chart
Advantages of Matching Fixed‑wing UAVs with Compact SAR Payloads
- Long Endurance and Wide‑area Coverage: Fixed‑wing UAVs achieve flight endurance of 2‑6 hours. A single flight mission can cover hundreds to over one thousand square kilometers, delivering far higher operational efficiency than multi‑rotor UAVs with short endurance and limited coverage, making them ideal for large‑scale rapid general surveys.
- Balance Between High Resolution and Wide Coverage: When operating at typical fixed‑wing flight altitudes of 500‑8000 m, SAR systems (e.g. X‑band and Ku‑band) deliver high‑resolution imaging at 0.1‑1 meter level, balancing detection range and imaging precision.
- Superb Environmental Adaptability: SAR can penetrate cloud and fog and works independent of illumination, rain and cloud conditions. Combined with the flight stability of fixed‑wing platforms, it supports efficient operations under complex meteorological conditions and rugged terrain such as mountainous and marine environments.
- Rapid Response and Flexible Deployment: Compared with manned aircraft, VTOL fixed‑wing UAVs feature flexible take‑off and landing (some variants support operations on mobile platforms) and fast response, well‑suited for emergency disaster relief and other sudden‑response scenarios.
The core strengths of the Zongheng CW‑100 integrated with compact SAR payloads stem from the platform’s large payload capacity and long‑endurance VTOL capability, combined with the all‑weather imaging performance of SAR. This integrated system generates various SAR data products including Single‑Look Complex images, full‑polarimetric datasets and Digital Orthophoto Maps (DOM). For scenarios such as emergency disaster response, geological monitoring and border patrol, it supports high‑precision, all‑weather, routine surface imaging and deformation monitoring.
Imaging Result Image
We focus on research & development and solution delivery for Mini‑SAR systems. Covering core algorithms, complete‑machine integration, lightweight design and multi‑platform adaptation, we adhere to independent innovation. Our goal is to enable Mini‑SAR to fly lighter, observe clearer and measure more accurately. To date, our products have been widely applied in maritime monitoring, topographic mapping, disaster monitoring and border surveillance, accumulating tens of thousands of flight missions and serving numerous industrial users and research institutes. Guided by our vision to become a world‑leading provider of SAR solutions, we strive to popularize domestic SAR technology and make Synthetic Aperture Radar an accessible, efficient and reliable Earth‑observation tool.
