Polarimetric Backscattering Behavior of Ground Clutter at X, Ka, and W-band
Abstract
The HH and VV-polarized backscattering behavior of homogeneous ground clutter was investigated by measuring the radar cross section per unit area of rough surface terrain. The behavior of X, Ka, and W bands was investigated by analyzing ISAR imagery of 1/16th scale terrain collected in compact radar ranges operating at 160 GHz, 520 GHz, and 1.56 THz. An array of 27 ground planes was fabricated for the clutter study. Nine ground planes were required per radar band for modeling three roughness values and three soil water contents. In addition to studying terrain backscatter as a function of surface roughness, the dependence on soil moisture content also was characterized by tailoring the dielectric constant of the scale models. The radar cross section per unit illuminated area was calculated as a function of elevation angle between 15 degrees and 75 degrees. The results of this work were used in the fabrication of scale model ground planes for the collection of radar imagery from scaled threat targets situated in realistic environments. Backscattering data are presented and compared to clutter data found in the literature. A strong polarization dependence, in agreement with field measurements, was observed in the X-band backscatter data for the smoothest surface in the collection. All data, in general, were in excellent agreement with clutter data found in the literature indicating that millimeter-wave and microwave backscatter behavior from homogeneous terrain can be accurately modeled using physical scale modeling techniques.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA462978
Entities
People
- A. J. Gatesman
- J. C. Dickinson
- J. Sizemore
- Julia Waldman
- R. H. Giles
- R. M. Chase
- T. M. Goyette
- W. E. Nixon
Organizations
- University of Massachusetts Lowell