The Theory of Polarization Diversity Systems

Abstract

A pole shifting technique on the Poincaré sphere is used to develop a theory of the polarization diversity system for any polarization basis. Referred to the appropriate frame of reference, formulas for backscatter coefficients and null locations are found to be universal. The procedure leads to an independent derivation of the conditions for maximum and minimum power return and for the polarization "fork" for reciprocal targets. Also included is a brief discussion of the theory of non-reciprocal backscatter measurements.