A simulation technique for high frequency Doppler spectra and comparison with high-bandwidth WERA data

HF ground wave radar data, collected as part of the European Radar Ocean Sensing Experiment (EuroROSE) in Lyngoy, Norway during April, 2000 using a Wellen Radar (WERA) system with an FMCW waveform, are compared with data simulated from models designed at Memorial University. The similarities between them give a solid confirmation not only of the backscattering cross sections developed for the FMCW waveform, but also of the simulation algorithm for the radar received signal. However, two significant differences need to be highlighted. Firstly, the amplitude of the high-frequency spectral tails is about 10 dB higher for the field data as compared to the simulated spectra. Secondly, the Bragg peak for the real Doppler spectrum is much wider than that for the simulated spectrum. Such differences between the simulated and field Bragg regions may result from, among other possibilities, current fluctuations on the scattering patch.