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Automatically determining the origin direction and propagation mode of high‐frequency radar backscatter
Author(s) -
Burrell Angeline G.,
Milan Stephen E.,
Perry Gareth W.,
Yeoman Timothy K.,
Lester Mark
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1002/2015rs005808
Subject(s) - backscatter (email) , azimuth , radar , elevation (ballistics) , remote sensing , geology , geodesy , elevation angle , reflection (computer programming) , ionosphere , optics , computer science , physics , geophysics , telecommunications , wireless , astronomy , programming language
Elevation angles of returned backscatter are calculated at Super Dual Auroral Radar Network radars using interferometric techniques. These elevation angles allow the altitude of the reflection point to be estimated, an essential piece of information for many ionospheric studies. The elevation angle calculation requires knowledge of the azimuthal return angle. This directional angle is usually assumed to lie along a narrow beam from the front of the radar, even though the signals are known to return from both in front of and behind the radar. If the wrong direction of return is assumed, large uncertainties will be introduced through the azimuthal return angle. This paper introduces a means of automatically determining the correct direction of arrival and the propagation mode of backscatter. The application of this method will improve the accuracy of backscatter elevation angle data and aid in the interpretation of both ionospheric and ground backscatter observations.