A fractal-based algorithm for the retrieval of surface parameters from microwave remote-sensed data

The fractional Brownian motion surface model and the small perturbation scattering model are used to devise a new theoretical retrieval algorithm. The surface dielectric constant is estimated by properly combining hh and vv channels, and surface roughness fractal parameters are estimated by using a simple linear regression (in a proper plane) among data measured at different angles (and/or frequencies). The effectiveness of the presented method is assessed by direct comparison with simulated and measured data.