Polarimetric features of ground clutter: experimental results, impact on coherent vectorial clutter-map design

The exploitation of coherent records from a low-resolution dual-polarization S-band radar gives more insight into the polarimetric behavior of ground clutter, thus leading to a better assessment of polarimetric and frequential techniques as applied to ground clutter rejection. Stationary and polarization features of fixed echoes and spread clutters are addressed. The impact of the vectorial DC components, which may be extracted from the latter signals, is discussed, both theoretically and experimentally. The results suggest the use of an adaptive/predictive polarimetric filter or a coherent vectorial clutter-map, together with a DC component canceller, depending on both the clutter type and the wind speed.