Experimental measurements of sea clutter using an ultrawideband x-band radar with variable resolution

Ultrawideband (UWB) radar pulse width at low grazing angles determines whether dominant scattering features of the sea surface, such as whitecaps, are resolved, and therefore has a major influence on the time-varying character of clutter-return signals in individual range cells. Attention is presently given to the design and performance of two clutter-measurement radar systems with variable resolution, as well as to initial sea-clutter data thus obtained at a nominal radar pulse center frequency of 10 GHz.