Fading Characteristics of Panchromatic Radar Backscatter from Selected Agricultural Targets

Abstract

An experiment was performed to determine the fading characteristics of backscattered radar signals from four agricultural targets at 9 GHz. The targets included two different row crops (corn and soybeans), a continuous canopy (alfalfa) and bare ground. After a short review of the statistics of Rayleigh fading backscatter, the data processing method and the results of the experiment are analyzed. Comparison with theory shows adequate agreement with the experimental results provided crop type, soil moisture condition and incidence angle are correctly incorporated in the target model. Because recent studies indicate that a high degree of precision is required for mapping vegetotion types with radar, it is necessary to acquire as much a priori knowledge of target fading characteristics as possible.