An analytical model for the description of the full‐polarimetric sea surface <scp>D</scp>oppler signature

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes an analytical model of the full‐polarimetric sea surface scattering and Doppler signature. The model combines the small‐slope‐approximation theory (at the second order) with a weak nonlinear sea surface representation. Such a model is used to examine the variation of the Doppler central frequency/bandwidth and of the normalized radar cross section as function of wind speed and direction. The results suggest that the model can be a valuable tool for the accurate observation of sea surface currents.