Method for optimizing the operation of an active lateral-view sensor when the height above the surface to be detected is variable

1. A process for operation of an active lateral-view sensor whose height above a surface to be detected is variable; said process comprising:

determining, as a function of height, a size of a slant range interval of a swath on a surface that is to be detected for a particular angle of view;

continuously determining a height of the sensor above the surface that is to be detected; and

adjusting, within the swath to be detected, an angle of view of scanning beams emitted by the sensor for scanning said surface, wherein said step of adjusting the angle of view fixes the size of the slant range interval by roll rotation of the sensor as a function of the determined height of the sensor during an entire orbit of the lateral-view sensor, the fixed size of the slant range interval corresponding approximately to the determined size of the slant range interval of the swath.

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the adjusting by roll rotation comprises a mechanical rotation of the sensor.

3. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the adjusting by roll rotation comprises an electronic roll rotation of the emitted scanning beams by a corresponding control of an antenna of the sensor.

4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the adjusting by roll rotation comprises a swiveling of a direction detected by the sensor as a function of the surface to be detected.

5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the roll rotation is adjusted so as to maintain a fixed distance between the sensor and said surface.

6. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the roll rotation is adjusted so as to maintain a fixed width of a swath of said surface that is covered by the sensor.

7. The process according to claim 1 , wherein an orientation of the sensor is adapted corresponding to its orbital position, by yawing and pitching, to maintain a zero-Doppler recording geometry as between the sensor and the swath that is detected.

8. A process for operation of an active lateral-view sensor whose height above a surface to be detected is variable; said process comprising:

determining, as a function of height, a size of a slant range interval of a swath on a surface that is to be detected for a particular angle of view;

continuously determining a height of the sensor above the surface that is to be detected;

adjusting, within the swath to be detected, an angle of view of scanning beams emitted by the sensor for scanning said surface, wherein said step of adjusting the angle of view fixes the size of the slant range interval by roll rotation of the sensor as a function of the determined height of the sensor during an entire orbit of the lateral-view sensor, the fixed size of the slant range interval corresponding approximately to the determined size of the slant range interval of the swath; and

operating the sensor using a constant pulse repetition frequency during the entire orbit.

9. A process for operation of an active lateral-view sensor whose height above a surface to be detected is variable; said process comprising:

determining, as a function of height, a size of a slant range interval of a swath on a surface that is to be detected for a particular angle of view;

continuously determining a height of the sensor above the surface that is to be detected; and

adjusting, within the swath to be detected, an angle of view of at least one scanning beam emitted by the sensor for scanning said surface, wherein said step of adjusting the angle of view fixes the size of the slant range interval by roll rotation of the sensor as a function of the determined height of the sensor during an entire orbit of the lateral-view sensor, the fixed size of the slant range interval corresponding approximately to the determined size of the slant range interval of the swath; and

scanning the surface to be detected using a single antenna beam per swath during the entire orbit.