Bi/multistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) using spaceborne illuminator utilizes spaceborne platforms as transmitters and satellites, near-space vehicles, aircraft, and ground platforms as receivers, which allows high-resolution imaging of ground and marine scenes and targets. The system’s benefits include a broad imaging field of view, high concealment, and potent antijamming abilities. By using beam steering methods, a variety of imaging modes can be achieved, such as staring spotlight and sliding spotlight modes, which obtain abundant information about the imaging scene and offer broad application prospects both in civil and military fields. Thus far, the bi/multistatic SAR using spaceborne illuminator has been intensively investigated, and several research findings have been reported. This paper examines the technology from the aspects of system components, configuration design, echo model, imaging techniques, bistatic synchronization, and experimental verification and systematically reviews the state-of-the-art research progress. Finally, it is anticipated that spaceborne illuminator technology will be used to develop bi/multistatic SAR in the future.
