# Publication Citation: Nonlinear calibration of polarimetric radar cross section systems

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Author(s): Lorant A. Muth; Nonlinear calibration of polarimetric radar cross section systems November 04, 2009 Polarimetric radar cross section systems are characterized by polarimetric system parameters $\epsilon_h$ and $\epsilon_v$. These parameters can be obtained with the use of rotating dihedrals. The full polarimetric dataset as a function of the angle of rotation can be analyzed with a nonlinear set of calibration equations to yield the system-parameter complex constants and the four polarimetric calibration amplitudes. These amplitudes appropriately reproduce the system drift and satisfy a drift-free system configuration criterion very accurately. The results indicate that the nonlinear approach is better than the previously studied linear approach, which yielded system parameters that are seriously distorted by drift. 2009 Antenna Measurement Techniques Association (AMTA) Symposium AMTA 2009 pp. 310 - 315 Salt Lake City, UT November 1-6, 2009 drift; nonlinear polarimetric calibration; polarimetric system parameters; radar cross section; reproducibility Electromagnetics Click here to retrieve PDF version of paper (197KB)