Polarimetric Radar Imaging of the Ocean Surface

Abstract

Understanding the relationship between ocean surface waves and the radar backscatter they generate is key to the development of new radar-based techniques to measure ocean parameters, such as wave height and current speed and direction, of importance to both the Navy and the civilian sector. This knowledge is also needed to improve the Navy's ability to distinguish between signals generated by important, man-made targets and the competing radar backscatter produced by the ocean surface itself. The NRL Remote Sensing Division and Radar Division have collaboratively developed a unique radar, the NRL Focused Phased Array Imaging Radar (NRL FOPAIR), to investigate this relationship. The ability of this system to rapidly image the surface and determine the backscattered signal's sensitivity to polarization provides a powerful means to explore this important area of research.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA525046

Entities

People

  • K. Scheff
  • Mark A. Sletten

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analog Signals
  • Antenna Arrays
  • Antennas
  • Arrays
  • Chesapeake Bay
  • Converters
  • Data Acquisition
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Rate
  • Deep Water
  • Images
  • Mechanical Scanning
  • Oceans
  • Phased Arrays
  • Remote Sensing
  • Surface Waves
  • Waves

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design