STATISTICAL PROPERTIES OF MULTIFREQUENCY HIGH-RANGE-RESOLUTION SEA REFLECTIONS

The statistical properties of multi-frequency high-range-resolution, low-grazing-angle measurements of sea clutter are presented. It is shown that the compound form of the K-distribution provides an excellent description for measurements made at S, X and J bands for all the radar range resolutions employed (0.375 m to 15 m). It is also shown that the K-distribution shape parameter tends to decrease as the illuminated patch is made smaller, corresponding to an increase in spikiness of the backscatter. This change in shape parameter appears to be a function of the underlying modulation with the speckle component remaining largely unchanged.