On the Feasibility of a Bistatic Radar for Detecting Bad Road Conditions

Abstract

In this paper a study on the feasibility of a bi static radar system for bad road conditions, including water, snow and ice, is presented. First of all, the most suitable frequency is chosen among all the frequencies available for such a system from a regulatory point of view. Then, the best mathematical model for predicting the electromagnetic behaviour of different layers of water, snow or ice over an asphalt basis is presented. The numerical study is focused on the reflexion attenuation (the difference between the direct and the reflected signal levels). Results for linearly polarized waves are presented and some useful design guidelines are presented.