Statistical properties of radar backscatter data for imaging applications

Traditionally radar imaging algorithms implement second-order statistics. In this article, the statistical properties, (Gaussianity, linearity, and frequency-reversibility) of measured backscattered radar data are evaluated in order to determine the statistical dependence of radar data. NonGaussianity, nonlinearity, or frequency-irreversibility favors the use of higher order statistics, rather than second-order statistics in modeling radar backscatter data for imaging applications. The backscatter radar data from a scale model Airbus A310 was measured in a compact range and used for this investigation.