In this paper, the radar return from a clutter target illuminated by a circularly polarized wave is investigated statistically. The ratio of the envelope of the left circular component to that of the right circular component of the return signal is formed, and the probability density functions and cumulative distributions of this ratio are found fcr linear, square, and logarithmic law detectors. Plots of all densities and distributions are given for several statistically modeled clutter-type targets with typical depolarizing and back-scattering characteristics. The probability density functions for the ratio signal from a logarithmic detector are compared for the cases of circularly and linearly polarized waves incident on the same clutter-type target. Linear polarization produces the worst case of spreading of the probability density function from its median value. Plots are given which indicate that changes in the amount of depolarization by the clutter cause more significant changes in the median value of the polarizationratiofor linear than for circular polarization.
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