Analytical derivation of the stationarity and the ergodicity of a field scattered by a slightly rough random surface

In the framework of the small perturbation method, we present a new theoretical derivation of the statistical and spatial properties of a field scattered by a one-dimensional slightly rough random surface. The work concerns the intermediate field zone where the scattered field is reduced to the contribution of the progressive plane waves. The surface is assumed to be stationary, ergodic and Gaussian. First, from a statistical point of view, we demonstrate that under oblique incidence the scattered field is not stationary while it is strictly stationary under normal incidence. For an infinite surface, the scattered field modulus obeys to Hoyt law and the phase is not uniform. Second, from a spatial point of view, for a given altitude and under all incidences, we show that the scattered field is ergodic. Under oblique incidence, the phase is spatially uniform and the modulus is given by a Rayleigh law. Under normal incidence, the phase is not uniform and the modulus is given by a Hoyt law. Third, from a practical point of view, we show that the field measured by a directional antenna is ergodic and stationary if the angular transfer function of the antenna does not contain the specular direction.