Multistatic polarimetric radar data modeling

Abstract

Multistatic and polarimetric radars are two active areas of research. Polarimetric radar systems collect more information about an environment than if a single polarization is used, despite the historically prohibitive cost of these systems. Similarly, multistatic systems have a number of theoretical advantages, including 1) the ability to transmit multiple waveforms from collocated or distributed antennas, thus enabling interrogation of larger areas of interest due to the geometry of the system and 2) the possibility of augmenting fielded systems with additional low-power passive components. The design of a multistatic system, however, requires many decisions regarding the number, geometry, and polarization of the transmitters and receivers, and the waveforms that will be transmitted from each transmitter. These decisions will depend on the environment and targets of interest.