Analysis of Space-Based Radar Clutter Spectra Over Different Types of Terrain and Their Effects on Detection Performance

• Main Authors: Faubert,D., Rook,B. J., Tam,W.
• Other Authors: COMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH CENTRE OTTAWA (ONTARIO)
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1986
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; Active & Passive Radar Detection & Equipment; *DETECTION; *TERRAIN; *SNOW COVER; *RADAR EQUIPMENT; *RADAR CLUTTER; COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION; CLUTTER; CANADA; SPECTRA; BACKGROUND; OCEANS; SPACE BASED; Canada; Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA178066; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA178066

A computer model was used to make a detailed analysis of the clutter spectra received by real aperture Space-Based Radars orbiting over different types of terrain. The influence of terrain on L-band SBR detection performance has also been studied. It was found that the clutter spectra tend to become narrower as the grazing ange of the antenna increases but that they broaden as the antenna points progressively more away from the direction of motion of the satellite. The interference caused by the clutter background is progressively higher for ice covered ground but smaller for a snow-covered terrain and the smallest for an ocean background. The minimum detectable velocities of the SBR were found to vary by a factor of up to three according to the terrain type. (Canada).