Volume scattering from a layer of sand at Ka-Band: Measurements and simulations

Volume scattering from the sand layer was studied both theoretically and experimentally. Excellent agreement was achieved between the model predictions and actual measurements. This agreement validates the theoretical model and permits its use for other types of sand and over frequencies outside the domain of the measured data. In addition, volume scattering from sand is insensitive to layer thickness once the thickness exceeds 0.15 m. According to both numerical simulations and measurements, it is recommended that the frequency, of the InSAR responsible for determining the height of the top air-sand interface, be located between 30 GHz and 40 GHz to ensure significant volume scattering from dry sand, irrespective of how the particle size distribution looks like for the different sand dune fields.