Vol. 10, issue 08, article # 10

Abstract:

Laser echo-pulse waveform for the general scheme of bistatic sensing of a rough sea surface partly covered with foam is investigated. A formula is derived for the signal power recorded by a detector in pulsed sensing of the sea surface in two cases: when the direction toward the detector coincides or is close to the direction of specular reflection and when the direction toward the detector differs significantly from the direction of specular reflection. It is shown that the sensing geometry and the presence or absence of foam on the sea surface may significantly change the signal waveform and the position of laser echo-pulse maximum.