Evaluation and Comparison of Dominant Backscattering Sources at 10 GHz in Two Treatments of Tall-Grass Prairie

Abstract

A very-fine-range resolution Frequency Modulated-Continuous Wave radar, operating at X-band, was used to evaluate the primary backscattering contributors to the radar signal from a tall-grass prairie. Defoliation was used to help measure relative backscatter from various components of the canopy with both linear polarizations (HH, VV, no VH or HV) and at 30° and 50° incidence angles. Variation of the average returned power (average integrated power received by the radar from all spots examined) with incidence angle was greatest for the natural prairie at horizontal polarization and was the least for vertical polarization. Vertical polarization seemed to be more sensitive to the upper portions of the plants, whereas horizontal polarization was to the lower portions. Attenuation for horizontal polarization was only half that for vertical polarization. Dielectric measurements of the grass and some of the canopy components (i.e., top soil) were conducted as well.

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Radar - Surveillance Application; Remote Sensing; Backscattering; Defoliation; Frequency Modulated-Continuous Wave Radar; Tall-Grass Prairie Remote Sensing; Radar Imaging

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0034-4257

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1987 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Aug 1987

Link to Full Text

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