Image reconstruction methods for remote sensing by aperture synthesis.

In the study of the spaceborne instrument MIRAS (Microwave Imaging Radiometer by Aperture Synthesis), two types of interferometric devices had to be examined: the T and Y configurations. The imaging properties of the corresponding devices (field-aliasing effects, error propagation, multiresolution aspects, etc.) motivated the final choice for the Y configuration. To conduct this study it was therefore essential to master the inverse problems of Fourier synthesis as well as the difficulties related to phase calibration. A general survey of the corresponding techniques is presented.