Measurements of the propagation parameters of tree canopies at MMW frequencies

The presence of trees in a given scene can hamper detection of nearby targets by millimeter-wave (MMW) radars especially at near grazing incidence. Proper characterization of scattering and attenuation in tree canopies is important for optimal detection algorithms. In this paper, a new technique for determining the extinction and volume backscattering coefficients in tree canopies using the measured radar backscatter response is proposed and verified experimentally. The technique, which can be applied to already available wideband radar backscatter data, is used to compute the extinction and volume backscattering coefficients of different tree canopies under various physical conditions. The dynamic range of these coefficients are presented and results at 35 GHz are compared with results at 95 GHz.