Statistics for the determination of propagation parameters from polarimetric radar data

Besides attenuation, propagation media often present some anisotropy. As a consequence different polarizations present different propagation constants that lead to differential attenuation, differential phase shift and hence depolarization of the waves. Any application that considers polarization related information requires accounting for and correcting those effects prior to any data analysis or results interpretation. Therefore, statistical characterization of propagation parameters is needed for accurate estimation as well as comparison of algorithms performance.