The remote sensing of snowpack depth, density, and wetness with an airborne system would have important applications in water resource management and flood prediction. In this paper, the electromagnetic response of multi-layered models is analyzed. Normally-incident plane waves are assumed at frequencies ranging from 106 to 1010 Hz, and reflection amplitudes are calculated for models having various layer combinations. Each layer can have arbitrary thickness, and its own dielectric constant and conductivity, each of which can vary with frequency. Thus “lossy” media as well as “perfect” dielectrics can be employed in the models. An outline of the theory for the calculations is presented for an n-layered model. Because of the complexity of the equations, interpretation is accomplished by illustrative models, selected from seven snow types and seven earth types. The objective of this type of calculation is to establish the dependence of the reflection coefficient on the impedance transitions between two half-spaces. This paper is a theoretical study only, and does not include consideration of the size, weight, estimated cost, and other physical attributes of a flight system. These, and other matters of a practical nature, are being treated in other papers.

A revised version of this paper is being published in full in another issue of the Journal of Glaciology.