A coherent model of radar weather clutter

Abstract

A coherent model of radar weather clutter is considered that is based on the analysis of digitally recorded radar data. Analysis of such data shows that weather clutter can be clearly non-Rayleigh in its amplitude statistics. However, the clutter spectrum does not vary appreciably with spatial position. In the coherent model for weather clutter subsequently described, the clutter return is expressed in terms of amplitude-modulated Gaussian time-series. An application of this model to the analysis of the performance of coherent signal processors is discussed.<>