Extensions to the Gaussian Model of Ground Clutter in Dual-Polarized Doppler Weather Radar

Adaptive filtering against ground clutter is a major capability of Doppler weather radar. A Gaussian model of ground clutter echo is assumed and is applicable in each range gate and in each polarization channel, independently.

Distinct features in dual-polarization moments, as well as spatial textures in standard and in dual-polarization Dmoments, have been observed in spatially distributed ground echo. Subsequently, these features have been utilized in recognition and mitigation of ground clutter. These advanced approaches are generally based on empirical findings in the characteristics of ground echo in the moment data.

Further advances in clutter mitigation appear to be pending on consistent modeling of ground echo to describe these details of Doppler dual-polarized observations obtained from ensembles of measurement volumes contaminated by ground echo. This study takes initial steps into such modeling by recognizing the operational need. Through simple considerations of spatially distributed radar ground echo, the Gaussian model of ground clutter is extended for first practical uses.