Date of Award

3-1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

Vittal P. Pyati, PhD

Abstract

A near-horizon probabilistic terrain backscatter coefficient generator is introduced, combining modified sea-state curves with Weibull-type probability density functions. A total of nine terrain type classifications (soils & rocks, trees, grasses, shrubs, short vegetation, roads, urban areas, dry snow, and wet snow) are supported, for seven radar bands (L, S, C, X, Ku, Ka, and W), and both linear (HH, VV) and cross (HV, VH) polarizations. The Weibull functions are based on measured sigma and match the published data. The functions also provide a probabilistic nature to the generator. Modified sea state curves are used in place of the Weibull functions for near-horizon incidence angles due to the dearth of measured data at this range. The sea state approach is based on the theory that for sigma, similar surface roughness of two different terrain types results in similar sigma curve shapes. Generator testing and validation used available measured sigma for three terrain types. The testing did not reject the modified sea curve usage and allowed system implementation for the remaining terrain types.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GE-ENG-99M-21

DTIC Accession Number

ADA361807

Comments

The author's Vita page is omitted.

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