Inverse methods for Refractivity From Clutter

Predicting the radar coverage in low troposphere is a critical problem for detection of the low above sea flying or floating targets. To predict the radar coverage, the electromagnetic wave propagation can be modeled using parabolic wave equation resolution methods, but a description of the refractive index of the medium is required. Refractivity from clutter is a method to obtain this refractive index from the backscattered power received by the shipborne radar. An advantage of the method is that it does not require additional equipment. This paper presents a comparison of four inversion methods, whose two recent, in the refractivity from clutter purpose on ideal simulated data and shows the feasibility of a system using inversion methods based on pre-generated databases.