Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

3-28-1962

Abstract

This work, after the critical examination of the theoretical background on back-scattering from rough surfaces, offers a new approach to its theory. Various back-scatter theories, as well as the statistical models of terrain and moon assumed therein, are critically reviewed and correlated. A new approach which uses a simple statistical model is then presented for the description of scattering of electromagnetic waves from a rough surface. The statistics of a rough surface are discussed in terms of certain parameters which can be easily associated the surface features, and a new expression for the back-scattering radar cross section per unit area is derived and applied to the lunar radar echo data to determine the surface roughness of the moon. Acoustic modeling of the lunar echo is shown to support the theoretical conclusions about lunar surface roughness. Theoretical results are then compared with full scale lunar radar return and the acoustically simulated moon return. Such a comparison demonstrates the usefulness of the theoretical approach and the acoustic simulator. As a final step, an examination is made of the works of other authors in all aspects of this new approach; the new model, the theory, and the acoustic simulation.

Sponsors

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Electrical Engineering

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Richard Kerr Moore

Second Committee Member

Wellington Wesley Koepsel

Third Committee Member

Arnold Herman Koschmann

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