Theoretical and Experimental Study of Radar Backscatter from Sea Ice
Abstract
A model is described for the radar backscatter from first-year and multiyear sea ice, based on simple scattering layers. The physical-optics model using an exponential correlation function is shown able to predict the signatures of first-year ice. The radiative transfer volume-scatter model can describe the backscattering from multiyear ice for frequencies higher than about X-band, while the surface scattering contribution has to be included for lower frequencies. A simple semi-empirical model is shown to be a good approximation to the radiative transfer model in describing the volume scattering contribution of multiyear ice. A parametric study was conducted to determine the possible ranges of sigma-o for multiyear ice and first-year ice using the theoretical models. Within reported ranges of values of physical characteristics of sea ice, the theoretical model behavior confirms the experimental findings that Ku- and X-band frequencies, and incidence angles larger than about 30 deg to 40 deg, are better than lower frequencies in discriminating multiyear ice from first-year ice.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA139866
Entities
People
- R. G. Onstott
- R. K. Moore
- Young-sooxa Kim
Organizations
- University of Kansas