Simulation for surveillance radar ground clutter at low grazing angle

In order to simulate the radar ground clutter at a low grazing angle and in middle or even low range resolution conditions, this paper summarizes a description of major electromagnetic mechanisms contributing to ground clutter, and presents detailed principles and simulation processes. First, we generate a radar cross section from a point target model. Then, a map with four types of terrain relief including deserts, farms, hills and towns are designed, through which the distributed ground clutter is obtained by empirical scattering coefficients given under each landcover. Finally, we generate the ground distributed clutter by back scattering coefficients spatial correlation model, in which the clutter amplitude is Rayleigh distribution and the power spectrum density obeys the Gaussian model. The clutter average Doppler shifting parameter in Gaussian distribution can be set and adjusted according to the realistic wind speed affecting the terrain area. Through the procedure of simulation, the experiment results show that in each type terrain of all four kinds of landscapes, the clutter amplitude distribution actually obeys Rayleigh model.