Radar Target Classification by Polarization Properties

The polarization properties of radar targets are studied as a parameter related to, but quite distinct from, echo area. It is found that targets are divided into several different classes. The polarization properties may be measured by rotating a linearly polarized radar antenna around the line of sight, and measuring the complex voltage presented at the receiving antenna terminals. It is shown that the polarization properties of any target so measured can be represented by a 3-parameter model (excluding echo area), and the parameters of such a model can be used as the basis for discriminating between targets of the same or different classes.