Radar backscatter from land, sea, rain, and snow at millimeter wavelengths

The effects of clutter return on millimeter radar systems are studied by summarizing the results of a series of investigations of radar returns from land, sea, rain, and snow, and characterizing the effects on system performance. The experimental procedures and results are considered along with the clutter effects on system parameter choice. The reported study shows that operation in the millimeter wave region offers a number of potential advantages, principally small size and weight. However, systems analysis is complicated by the relatively small and inconsistent data base which exists for systems operating at these frequencies. The data base for ground clutter needs to be expanded to include trees at grazing incidence, tree lines and fields, roads, buildings, rivers, and lakes.