Angular Errors in Polarimetric Radar Cross Section Calibration Using a Rotating Dihedral

Published

April 1, 2005

Author(s)

Lorant A. Muth, Cathy Johnson, Donald Morales, Timothy Conn

Abstract

We examine how accurately system transmit and receive parameters can be determined using a rotating dihedral as the polarimetric calibration device. We derive expressions for the errors due to misalignment in the angle of rotation of the dihedral. In addition, we obtain expressions for the bias angles α_{0, hv} and α_{0, vh}, where the measured cross-polarization ratio of a target vanishes. Since the theoretical cross-polarization ratio of a cylinder is 0, we can thus find the calibration bias-correction angles. We use both simulated and real data to demonstrate the robustness of this bias-angle correction technique. Expressions for the uncertainty in polarimetric system parameters are also derived.

Citation

Technical Note (NIST TN) - 1539

Report Number

1539

NIST Pub Series

Technical Note (NIST TN)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Keywords

angular errors, calibration, polarimetric radar cross section, rotating dihedral

Citation

Muth, L. , Johnson, C. , Morales, D. and Conn, T. (2005), Angular Errors in Polarimetric Radar Cross Section Calibration Using a Rotating Dihedral, Technical Note (NIST TN), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed October 20, 2025)