Microwave Backscattering Model for a Bare Soil Field

Abstract

In the remote sensing area theoretical models of microwave scattering properties from a bare soil field are needed to interpret the measured data and to generate simulated data for developing retrieval algorithms when the measured data is scarce or does not exist at all. A model for electromagnetic wave backscattering from a bare soil field is developed in this paper. The model developed is based on the integral equation model. The ground-based measurement system measures brightness temperatures and backscattering coefficients at frequencies between 1 and 2 GHz. For evaluating the model availability, comparisons of model prediction with the measured data are shown. The unknown quantity in the model is the surface correlation length. The surface correlation length is chosen to fit the measured data. The parameters of soil moisture content, surface root mean square height, and surface correlation length will affect the scattering strength from bare soil. Further, the soil composition of sand, loam, and clay will also influence the scattering coefficient from the bare soil surface. It is seen that satisfactory agreement is obtained between the model prediction and measured data. The difference between the model prediction and measured data is less than a dB.