Propagation Effects in Microwave Radar Remote Sensing: Advantages and Disadvantages

Abstract

The Presence of the atmosphere and weather generates polarization dependent attenuation and phase shift in Microwave Radar Signals. In this contribution the following points will be highlighted: 1. How propagation effects can degrade weather radar signatures, and how these very propagation effects, in turn, could be re-exploited to characterize the propagation medium. 2. Elucidate the influence of propagation effects on SAR imagery and thus identify scenarios in which the SAR performance may be either enhanced or degraded. These aspects will draw attention to a salient point:The propagation effects, though capable of contaminating radar signals, can also be exploited in order to obtain better radar performance.