High Frequency Radar Cross Sections of the Ocean Surface Incorporating Pitch and Roll Motions of a Floating Platform

The first- and second-order high frequency radar cross sections of the ocean surface incorporating pitch and roll motion of a floating platform are derived. Based on these newly derived radar cross sections, simulations are conducted to show the effect of the pitch and roll motion on the radar Doppler spectra. Compared to the conclusions made from the existing work, the radar cross section models proposed in this paper are reasonably validated. Results show that pitch and roll motion bring a frequency modulation to the radar signal. These cause motion-induced peaks to appear symmetrically in the Doppler frequency. The effect of pitch and roll motion on the radar Doppler spectra is seen to be similar to that caused by horizontal motion of the platform. Increasing the amplitudes of the pitch and roll motion is seen to produce a greater modulation effect on the Doppler spectra.