Signal Penetration of Low SAR Frequency Over Three Compact Polarimetric Modes

Compact polarimetry has the ability of reducing the complexity, cost, mass, and data rate of a SAR system while attempting to obtain many capabilities of quad polarisation systems. In this paper, we investigate the penetration of P-band signal and polarimetric degradation for the three compact polarimetric modes using two triangular trihedral corner reflectors, where one is immersed in the trees, and the other is outside the trees. The results from the π/4 mode showed a reduction of 0.6 dB in the H channel while it was 2.28 dB in the V channel. Also, the DCP mode showed a zero phase difference for the reflector outside the trees, while a 64.66° phase difference showed for the reflector immersed in the trees. Moreover, the reduction of signal was -30.4 dB in the H channel, and it was 2.36 dB in the V channel. Finally, the CRLT mode showed a similar signal reduction as the π/4 mode but the polarimetric degradation for the reflector immersed in the trees was 64.66°.