Formulation of the proper equations for developing standards in radar polarimetry

Several crucial inconsistencies have been found in the basic equations of radar polarimetry. In particular, the pertinent formulations of the polarization state definitions given in the IEEE/ANSI Standard 149-1979 are in error. These and other inconsistencies and conceptual errors are discussed. The authors provide the correct formulae for the proposed revision of the polarimetric standards together with a well-defined and consistent procedure for measuring target scattering matrices in both monostatic and bistatic arrangements. Further, the proposed procedure can be applied to an arbitrary measurement process in any general elliptical polarization basis.<>