Cross-polarization refers to the situation in which the transmitting and receiving antennas in a communications or radar system have polarization orientations that are orthogonal (perpendicular) to each other. This polarization mismatch results in a reduction in signal reception efficiency because the antennas are less sensitive to signals transmitted with polarization states orthogonal to their own orientation.
Cross-polarization can occur intentionally to minimize interference between signals on the same frequency band or unintentionally, leading to signal degradation in communications systems, particularly in environments with high electromagnetic interference or noise.
The meaning of cross polarization lies in the concept of polarization mismatch between transmitting and receiving antennas. It refers to the condition where the orientation of the electric field vector of the transmitted electromagnetic wave differs from that of the sensitivity axis of the receiving antenna.
This mismatch results in the loss of some of the transmitted signal energy, reducing the effective signal resistance received by the antenna and potentially affecting the performance of the communications or radar system.
Cross-polarization interference occurs when signals with orthogonal polarization states interfere with each other in the same frequency band. This interference occurs because receiving antennas are less sensitive to signals transmitted with polarization orientations orthogonal to their own.
As a result, interference can lead to signal degradation, reduced communication range, and decreased system performance, particularly in wireless communication, satellite communication, and radar systems where multiple signals are transmitted simultaneously.
Cross polarization versus CO polarization refers to two distinct configurations of antenna polarization:
- Cross polarization: In this configuration, the transmitting and receiving antennas have orthogonal polarization states (e.g. vertical and horizontal).
This configuration usually results in polarization losses due to the mismatch between the transmitted and received signals. Cross-polarization is sometimes intentionally used to mitigate interference between different signals on the same frequency band.
- CO Polarization: Here the transmitting and receiving antennas are aligned to the same polarization orientation (e.g. both vertical or horizontal).
CO polarization maximizes signal strength and minimizes polarization losses, improving communication or radar system performance by reducing interference and optimizing signal reception efficiency. CO bias is preferred in many applications where maximizing signal integrity and reliability is critical.
A cross-polarized image refers to an image captured using polarized light techniques to enhance contrast and reduce glare or reflections. This technique involves using polarizers on the light source and the camera lens, oriented at angles perpendicular to each other.
By filtering out unwanted reflections and scattered light, cross-polarized imaging reveals details and textures that are otherwise obscured by surface reflections. Cross-polarized imaging is commonly used in various fields such as microscopy, photography, art conservation, and materials science to examine transparent or reflective surfaces with enhanced clarity and visual fidelity
