High-resolution Doppler radar observation of scattering from waves in laboratory wave-tanks

Describes radar scattering measurements in wave tanks approach. In a previous study, a small laboratory tank with one or two rotating wave generators was used to produce unidirectional or crossing waves and radar observations were made of the first order and second order backscattering of 2 GHz continuous wave radio illumination. The work described is aimed at evolving and deploying a radar having a high and adjustable spatial resolution, which can be used in the environment of a typical large wave tank without problems from echoes from the surrounding clutter of wave makers, roof trusses, etc., and which can resolve the scatter from part of a long wave or from several waves as required. The authors describe the ocean/radio wave interaction as at present understood, the features of the 0.5 m resolution radar which has been developed and progress so far in evaluating the capabilities of the technique in the 25 m×25 m wave tank at the Hydraulics Research laboratory, Wallingford, UK