System Concept of a Digital, Reconfigurable Multiband Radar Transponder for SAR Reference Use

Marx V, Gambacorta L, Haberberger N, Benedikter A, Rechenberg L, Gunders-Hunt D, Vossiek M (2026)

Publication Type: Conference contribution, Conference Contribution

Publication year: 2026

Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

Pages Range: 129-132

Conference Proceedings Title: GEMIC 2026 - 17th German Microwave Conference

Event location: Karlsruhe, DEU

ISBN: 9798319519559

DOI: 10.1109/GeMiC71240.2026.11516434

Abstract

Accurately positioning a spacecraft in orbit around a space body, such as a moon, planet, or other celestial object, at great distance from Earth is a significant challenge. Current solutions for spacecraft positioning in deep space rely on Earth-based observations, which lose precision with increasing distance. In this work, we propose a system that provides a local positioning reference for an orbiter from the surface of the body of interest. It consists of multiple transponders that act as radar reference targets. The transponders are tunable to different frequencies between 0 and 10 GHz, enabling operation from P-to X-band. They are built on a monostatic digital-delay architecture to enable a compact and versatile design. This paper presents the concept and design of the realized fully digital radar transponder and provides initial experimental laboratory measurement results demonstrating the capability of the proposed concept.

Authors with CRIS profile

Valentin Marx Lehrstuhl für Hochfrequenztechnik (LHFT) Letizia Gambacorta Professur für Kognitive Radarsysteme für die Fernerkundung Niklas Haberberger Lehrstuhl für Hochfrequenztechnik (LHFT) Lukas Rechenberg Lehrstuhl für Hochfrequenztechnik (LHFT) Danielle Gunders-Hunt Lehrstuhl für Hochfrequenztechnik (LHFT) Martin Vossiek Lehrstuhl für Hochfrequenztechnik (LHFT)

Involved external institutions

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) / German Aerospace Center DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Marx, V., Gambacorta, L., Haberberger, N., Benedikter, A., Rechenberg, L., Gunders-Hunt, D., & Vossiek, M. (2026). System Concept of a Digital, Reconfigurable Multiband Radar Transponder for SAR Reference Use. In GEMIC 2026 - 17th German Microwave Conference (pp. 129-132). Karlsruhe, DEU: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..

MLA:

Marx, Valentin, et al. "System Concept of a Digital, Reconfigurable Multiband Radar Transponder for SAR Reference Use." Proceedings of the 17th German Microwave Conference, GEMIC 2026, Karlsruhe, DEU Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2026. 129-132.

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