Experimental research at the EMSL on scattering properties of non vegetated terrains

Abstract

An experimental research programme on the scattering properties of non-vegetated terrains has been established at the European Microwave Signature Laboratory (EMSL), integrating different proposals from external users. The programme concerns the investigation of different aspects, including validation of surface scattering models, retrieval of soil moisture profiles, radar response of frozen/thawed soil and wave penetration in low lossy media. Mono and bi-static polarimetric scattering measurements on samples of artificial dielectric material and real soil are performed in the frequency band 1.5-18 GHz. The planned experiments are described and the outcomes of preliminary measurements are discussed.