High resolution sea clutter data: Statistical analysis of recorded live data

The paper is devoted to a detailed analysis of experimental data, collected at Osborne Head Gunnery Range with McMaster University IPIX radar, to test theoretical models developed in the literature. The validity of the compound model has been proven for VV polarisation both for amplitude and correlation properties. Cross-polarised data also exhibit a compound behaviour but require an additional Gaussian component due to thermal noise. HH data deviate from the K model and seem to better approach a log-normal distribution. Previous results have been obtained by a correlation test that allows separation of the short and long correlation terms, a modified Kolmogoroff-Smirnoff test to verify the fitting and a cumulants domain analysis to quantify the Gaussian component. The interest of the work lies in its application for successful radar design.