Environmental Characterization for Target Acquisition. Report 3. New Concepts forEvaluating Low-Grazing Angle Radar Measurements

摘要

In an attempt to develop a scene characterization methodology for long-range (2to 7 km), low-grazing angle (<1O deg or .17 radians) active millimeter wave radar systems, a twofold approach is taken. First, slant range versus azimuth maps of radar backscatter measurements are filtered to collect statistics on the occurrence of target-like features and to relate those signatures to natural terrain conditions. Second, a prediction of radar return from the terrain is modeled by a point light source at the radar location and the assumption of Lambertian scattering from the terrain facets. Model predictions are combined with overlays of vegetation at each test site and compared qualitatively with the measured data to assess the impact of terrain conditions on backscatter response. These approaches are applied to a set of test site K(a)-band radar measurements made at Fort Hunter Liggett during the winter of 1988. Lambertian scattering, Scene metrics, Radar backscatter.