This report presents and introduces a research on radar polarimetry of microwave and millimeter wave remote sensing conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago under the direction of Professor Wolfgang M. Boerner. An introductory explanation to RADAR POLARIMETRY and its applications are given. First, the basic definition of a wave polarization is introduced, relating to a scattering characteristics of radar target, which, in turn, leads to the polarimetric theory. Then, the theory is applied to a specific example of radar image, i. e., of San Francisco Bay Area, obtained by NASA-JPL, in order to enhance image contrast.
By using the highly advanced radar polarimetry, it is possible to enhance and optimize a image contrast of target and to improve the radar performance significantly. This polarimetric radar has an ability of eliminating background noise and speckles, especially in a strong clutter enviro-ment, which makes target detection and identification possible. Thus the radar polarimetry will play an important role in the high resolution radar remote sensing in the future.
View full abstract