Rapid hydrometeor bistatic scatter calculations using non-orthogonal function expansion of reflectivity profiles

A non-orthogonal Gaussian function expansion of vertical reflectivity profiles is proposed. In conjunction with a generalization of a previously published formula this allows bistatic radar cross-sections to be calculated rapidly for hydrometeor scatter problems involving arbitrary reflectivity profiles. In particular, it allows scattering from melting band and ice regions to be included in the cross-section calculation