Microwave propagation at X band in cylindrical-shaped forest components: attenuation observations

Experimental results are presented for attenuation measurements performed on cylindrical-shaped forest components. Microwave propagation in simulated canopies composed of bare deciduous twigs and leafy coniferous branches was investigated at 9 GHz. In order to account for the influence of natural component parameters, the experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions where those parameters could be easily and fully controlled. The influence of the physical parameters (number density of scatterers and gravimetric water content) and the geometrical parameters (dimensions and orientation of the scatterers) on the angular and polarization attenuation behaviors is pointed out. These results supplement previous attenuation observations obtained with natural cylindrical elements