ALTAIR VHF/UHF observations of multipath and backscatter enhancement

Author

Knepp, Dennis L. ; Houpis, Harry L F

Author_Institution

Mission Res. Corp., Monterey, CA, USA

Volume

39

Issue

4

fYear

1991

fDate

4/1/1991 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

528

Lastpage

534

Abstract

During the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) PEAK (propagation effects assessment-Kwajalein) experiment in August 1988, the ALTAIR VHF/UHF wide bandwidth radar was used to track spherical satellites in low-earth orbit. The purpose of the experiment was to obtain radar data during the most severe natural propagation disturbances. The PEAK experiment was successful, giving many measurements of strong scintillation as well as the first measurements of frequency-selective fading on propagating radar pulses. Experimental results are used to demonstrate an enhancement, due to scattering, in the average received power that is observed during severe scintillation. The observed statistics of the enhancement are compared to analytic calculations using the Nakagami-m distribution with very good agreement

Keywords

backscatter; fading; ionospheric electromagnetic wave propagation; radar cross-sections; radiowave propagation; scintillation; tracking systems; ALTAIR VHF/UHF observations; Defense Nuclear Agency; Nakagami-m distribution; PEAK experiment; RCS; average received power; backscatter enhancement; frequency-selective fading; ionosphere; low-earth orbit; multipath; propagating radar pulses; radar propagation; scattering; severe natural propagation disturbances; spherical satellites; strong scintillation; wide bandwidth radar; Backscatter; Bandwidth; DNA; Extraterrestrial measurements; Frequency measurement; Pulse measurements; Radar tracking; Satellites; UHF measurements; UHF propagation;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Antennas and Propagation, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-926X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/8.81467

Filename

81467