The RADOT code system to calculate the radar return from a forested area

RADOT (Radar on Trees) is a system of FORTRAN computer codes designed to predict the radar return from a canopy of vegetation. The system combines a realistic simulation of the geometry of the trees of a forest with simple approximations as to the physics of radar scattering with individual branches and leaves. Program TREE is used to generate a prototype tree, for example, an oak tree. A tree run is based upon a detailed input description and need be performed only once for each tree type. The output is a tree model, described down to the level of individual branches and leaves, which can be combined with a 'library' of previously generated prototype trees, into a new library of prototypes. This new library subsequently serves as input to Program HIT, the main geometry code. Program FORGEN, the forest generator, combines user input with built-in distribution functions to place trees throughout a simulated forest area. The tree, itself, is one of the prototypes available from the library, scaled and reoriented by FORGEN. The output of FORGEN is a forest model which contains information as to the location, size, orientation and tree type of each tree in the forest. This forest model can be saved for all subsequent analyses involving this forest.