Radar Terrain Return From the Spherical Earth at Near-Vertical Incidence
Abstract
A scalar equation for the power returned to a radio altimeter is developed by probability methods to explain the scattering mechanism of the earth's surface at any altitude, including altitudes such that the sphericity of the earth becomes an important factor. The power return equation is resolved into a specular component plus a random or scatter component. The relative magnitudes of these components depend upon the surface roughness of the irradiated target. It is not expected that the scattering cross-section will be independent of large changes in altitude in practical applications. The irradiated target area increases as the radar altitude increases, thus changing the statistical information available to the radar.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0260172
Entities
People
- B. D. Warner
Organizations
- University of New Mexico