ALTAIR VHF/UHF observations of multipath and backscatter enhancement

During the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) PEAK (propagation effects assessment-Kwajalein) experiment in August 1988, the ALTAIR VHF/UHF wide bandwidth radar was used to track spherical satellites in low-earth orbit. The purpose of the experiment was to obtain radar data during the most severe natural propagation disturbances. The PEAK experiment was successful, giving many measurements of strong scintillation as well as the first measurements of frequency-selective fading on propagating radar pulses. Experimental results are used to demonstrate an enhancement, due to scattering, in the average received power that is observed during severe scintillation. The observed statistics of the enhancement are compared to analytic calculations using the Nakagami-m distribution with very good agreement.<
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