Numerical simulation of scattering from rough surfaces using an iterative physical optics approach

The application of iterative physical optics (PO) in conjunction with a Monte Carlo simulation for characterizing the bistatic scattering coefficient of random rough surfaces is examined in this paper. The iterative PO method offers decreased memory and computation time restrictions compared to the standard numerical methods such as the method of moments (MoM). Results from the iterative PO method are compared to the standard electric field integral equation (EFIE), the magnetic field integral equation (MFIE) as well as the existing theoretical solutions for rough surfaces. It is demonstrated that memory requirements and computation time is significantly decreased while providing fairly accurate results at surfaces with moderate to low rms slope.