Radar Backscatter and Canopy Penetration Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards capturing how signals bounce back from tall structures and ground and how some signals can penetrate canopy.

Backscatter (Radar)

The portion of a radar signal that is reflected back toward the radar after hitting an object (e.g., a building or the ground).

Radar

A system that transmits radio waves and detects their reflections to determine the presence, location, or characteristics of objects.

Ground return

The radar signal that reflects off the ground and returns to the radar receiver.

Canopy penetration

The ability of a sensing signal to pass through forest canopy to reach objects beneath or to detect reflections beneath vegetation.

Reflection

The bouncing of a wave off a surface, causing part of the signal to return toward the source.

Echo

The returned signal received after a radar pulse reflects off an object.