An algorithm for the dependence of sea surface radar cross section and modulation transfer function on winds, atmospheric stability and sea state

An extensive set of X-band microwave backscatter measurements has been analyzed to determine its dependence on winds near the surface, atmospheric stability, and long-wave slopes. Model functions for the radar cross section and the MTF are developed that depend on the geophysical variables. Statistical analysis shows that these models functions yield a significantly smaller error when fit to the RCS data than a simple wind speed function displays. A Taylor series expansion of the returned power from a small area provides a unified function that demonstates the complementary roles of wave slope and atmospheric fluctuations on both the RCS, the MTF and the coherence. These results have direct application to the remote sensing of the mean and fluctating winds, and the wave spectrum with coherent and incoherent active radars.