What happens to the radial velocity when there is constructive and destructive interference among scatterers?

When considering the effects of constructive and destructive interference among scatterers on radial velocity, it is important to understand that these interference phenomena directly impact the received signal in radar systems.

In the case of constructive interference, the signals from multiple scatterers combine to enhance the radar return signal, which may improve the overall signal-to-noise ratio. However, when it comes to destructive interference, the signals can partially or completely cancel each other out, leading to variations in the received signals and potential inaccuracies in the calculated measurements.

In particular, when signals are ambiguously combined, it can lead to misinterpretation of velocity data, as the radar might not correctly resolve the velocity of individual scatterers. This results in a less accurate determination of radial velocity, because the radar cannot separate the overlapping contributions from multiple scatterers effectively. This situation can be problematic particularly when dealing with complex scenarios like turbulence or varying precipitation types, which are common in meteorological observations.

Thus, while interference can cause fluctuations in received signal strength and might seem initially beneficial under certain circumstances, the primary concern is the accuracy of the measurements. When interference is present, the resulting net signal does not accurately reflect the individual velocities of the scatterers, leading to less reliable data in terms of radar observations.