Laboratory measurements of the 36 GHz backscattering cross section from water waves

The backscattering cross section per unit area σ₀ of a roughened water surface at 36 GHz is needed in the development of new remote sensing instrumentation that will operate at this frequency. One instrument, the multimode airborne radar altimeter (MARA), will illuminate the surface at incidence angles ranging from nadir to 12° off-nadir. Laboratory tests were performed at the Wallops Wind-Wave Tank Facility to determine the variability of σ₀ at these angles and as a function of windspeed. The measurement procedures used in a 6-in.-diam aluminum sphere as the calibration source. The results are compared with earlier measurements at this frequency. Little variability with windspeed was found in the cross-section values for 12° off-nadir, while the cross section decreased with windspeed at nadir. The nadir cross section exceeded the off-nadir result by about 7 dB at a windspeed of 10 m/s (at a 10-m effective height above sea level)