Polarization diversity for reduction of scattering from spatially periodic perfectly conducting surfaces

Detection of targets airborne above the ocean surface is difficult using conventional radar due to the strong clutter response of the ocean surface. It is thus desirable to find ways to reduce the strength of the scattering from the ocean surface relative to the target. One method for achieving this is to use polarization-diverse ultra-wideband signals, wherein the polarization states of transmitting and receiving antennas are varied to minimize the clutter response. This paper evaluates the effect of varying the polarization states of the transmitting and receiving antennas on the target and sea clutter responses. The ocean surface is modeled as a spatially periodic conducting surface and the target is a conducting missile with 4 orthogonal stabilizing fins. The response of the surface is calculated using the method of moments for both TE (horizontal) and TM (vertical) excitation. The polarimetric response of several realistic targets (aircraft and missiles) are measured and used to evaluate the best polarization state for target detection.