An Improved SASS Model for Sea Clutter Reflectivity at Ku-band

Abstract

The typical models, namely, Hybrid (HYB) model, Technology Service Corporation (TSC) model, and Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) model, reveal a large deviation at medium and high grazing angles that leads to an inaccurate prediction of sea clutter backscattering coefficient, owing to a limitation of the measured Nathanson data. An improved model for sea clutter reflectivity is proposed as a function of grazing angle, azimuth direction, radar polarization and wind speed, based on the SEASAT-A Satellite Scatterometer (SASS) model with sufficient measured data at Ku-band. To deal with the redundant structure of SASS model, the improved SASS model is developed to simplify the calculation of mean backscatter coefficients of sea clutter. In addition, the design algorithm of the improved SASS model, as well as the model usage method is presented. The reliability of the improved SASS model is proved by comparisons with Nathanson models and measured sea clutter data.