Reflection Coefficient Estimation of Underlying Rough Surface for Calibrated Polarimetric Measurements in Multipath Environment

Abstract

In a multipath environment, the fully polarized reflection coefficients significantly impact the polarimetric measurement and calibration of a target, due to the depolarization effects of its underlying surface. In this letter, a technique for estimating the fully polarized reflection coefficients of underlying rough surfaces by means of a switchable double-antenna polarimetric active radar calibrator (SIDAPARC) is proposed. Calibrated polarimetric measurements in multipath environments with different underlying surfaces are conducted to validate the usefulness of the proposed technique. Experimental results demonstrate the effective extraction of fully polarimetric radar returns directly from the target, with noticeable suppression of multipath components from the underlying surface reflections.