Using the Polarization of Millimeter‐wave Radar as a Navigation Aid. Issue 1 (21st April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brooker, Graham; Johnson, David; Underwood, James; Martinez, Javier; Xuan, Lu; Peynot, Thierry; Monteiro, Sildomar; Kelly, Alonzo; Devy, Michel
• Is Part Of: Journal of field robotics. Volume 32:Issue 1(2015:Jan./Feb.)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 19
• Publication Date: 2014-04-21
• Subjects: Robots, Industrial -- Periodicals; Automatic control -- Periodicals; 629.892
• DOI: 10.1002/rob.21517
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1556-4959

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>This paper examines various ways in which changes in ground reflectivity enhanced by using polarization diversity in millimeter‐wave imaging radar can be used as an aid to guidance and navigation. The paper introduces the concept of a polarization scattering matrix and shows how the returns from a linearly polarized mirror scanned radar and an autonomous ground vehicle together can be exploited to provide novel ground images made at all polarizations. The paper introduces a number of polarization‐sensitive calibration reflectors, including a novel modified Bruderhedral, which are used to quantify the polarization vector. It is shown that changes in the ground reflectivity of the radar images, as a function of polarization, can be used to classify the terrain in ways beyond that which can be achieved using static reflectivity contrast alone.</p> </abstract>