After the EM radiation leaves the radar antenna, it propagates into the external environment. Some of the radiation scatters from one or more objects in the environment, returns to the antenna, and enters the radar receiver. The radar may also receive some external noise simultaneously. This chapter discusses those effects.

Chapter Contents:

• 3.1 Radar Cross-Section
• 3.1.1 RCS of Simple Targets
• 3.1.2 RCS of Complex Targets
• 3.1.3 Methods of Calculating RCS
• 3.1.4 Polarization Considerations in RCS
• 3.2 Propagation and Clutter
• 3.2.1 Refraction of Radar Waves by Air
• 3.2.2 Effect of Earth Curvature
• 3.2.3 Attenuation of Radar Waves by Air
• 3.2.4 Attenuation of Radar Waves by Rain
• 3.2.5 Reflection of Radar Waves from the Earth's Surface
• 3.2.6 Multipath
• 3.2.7 Reflectivity of Surface Clutter
• 3.2.8 Radar Backscatter from Precipitation
• 3.3 External Noise
• References
• Problems

Inspec keywords: electromagnetic wave scattering; electromagnetic wave propagation; radar antennas; radar receivers

Other keywords: EM radiation; radiation scatters; radar receiver; propagation; external noise; radar antenna; external environment; radar system interaction

Subjects: Radar equipment, systems and applications; Electromagnetic wave propagation; Single antennas