Detection of targets above rough surfaces using millimeter-wave bistatic radars

In this paper, we report on a new set of indoor measurements aimed at characterizing the bistatic radar return from rough surfaces at Ka-band. The polarimetric response over the entire upper hemisphere, at both low and high incidence and scattering angles, and at near forward and backward directions are reported. This first of a kind data reveals the angular dependence of various polarimetric quantities such as the copolarization ratio, the crossto copolarization ratio, and the correlation between various polarized radar returns. It can be used to validate existing or new surface scattering models and to identify and evaluate bistatic configurations for radar operation. The potential of bistatic radars in detecting the presence of targets embedded in clutter is also demonstrated experimentally using a simple target above a rough surface.