Abstract: A method and apparatus of determining a wave height directional spectrum of an ocean wave field using the intermediate-frequency (IF) signal from marine radars with a rotating antenna, using either a fully coherent or a standard non-coherent transmitter/receiver modified for coherent-on-receive use. The method may include receiving the IF radar ocean surface echo signal for a series of transmit pulses, at a sequence of azimuthal antenna positions, and a number of antenna rotations covering several minutes, then generating a matrix of complex IF signal samples from these, deriving phases for each sample, generating the difference in phase for consecutive azimuths, then Doppler shifts, and finally radial velocities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of determining a wave height directional spectrum of an ocean wave field using the intermediate-frequency (IF) signal from marine radars with a rotating antenna, using either a fully coherent or a standard non-coherent transmitter/receiver modified for coherent-on-receive use. The method may include receiving the IF radar ocean surface echo signal for a series of transmit pulses, at a sequence of azimuthal antenna positions, and a number of antenna rotations covering several minutes, then generating a matrix of complex IF signal samples from these, deriving phases for each sample, generating the difference in phase for consecutive azimuths, then Doppler shifts, and finally radial velocities.

Abstract: A method for estimating the high frequency radar cross-section of the sea surface. A Doppler spectrum of the sea surface is obtained by correlating returns from high frequency radar signals. Approach and recede Bragg spectral lines and a zero Doppler frequency continuum level are identified in the Doppler spectrum. The amplitude ratio .rho. between the Bragg spectral lines and an amplitude ratio .zeta..sub.M between the maximum amplitude Bragg spectral line and the zero Doppler frequency continuum are measured from the Doppler spectrum. The radar cross-section is then determined from the ratios .rho. and .zeta..sub.M. In a further method embodiment, the estimated radar cross-section is used to estimate the radar cross-sections of targets appearing in the Doppler spectrum.