SAR imaging of bottom topography in the ocean: Results from an improved model

A two-space dimensional model, which is applicable to arbitrary bottom topography and wind, is applied to Seasat Revs. 762, 957, 1430, and 1473. The model includes the additional modulational effects of a long-wave field on the short Bragg waves, both in the presence of a variable current field and results compared to data. Modulations associated with other radar frequencies are also calculated under Rev. 762 conditions. It is shown that when the long-wave field effects are included, signature strength does not decrease with increasing radar frequency. The percentage enhancement due to long waves ranges from 7% for L band to 850% for K band.