The HH and VV-polarized backscattering behavior of homogeneous ground clutter has been investigated by measuring the radar cross section per unit area of rough surface terrain. The X, Ka, and W-band behavior was investigated by analyzing ISAR imagery of 1/16th scale terrain collected in compact radar ranges operating at 160 GHz, 520 GHz, and 1.56 THz. An array of scale model ground planes was fabricated with the appropriate roughness to model relatively smooth to rough soil terrain. In addition to studying terrain backscatter as a function of surface roughness, the dependence on soil moisture content was also characterized by tailoring the dielectric constant of the scale models. The radar cross section per unit illuminated area (?0) was calculated as a function of elevation angle between 15° and 75°. The results of this work have been used in the fabrication of scale model ground planes for collection of radar imagery from scaled threat targets situated in realistic environments. Backscattering data are presented and compared to clutter data found in the literature.
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