Radar Cross Sections Of Complex Objects

This research addresses some phenomenological aspects of bistatic scattering from a complex object with an emphasis on specular, shadowing, dihedral, and cavity effects. Five targets are investigated for their simplicity and ability to highlight certain scattering phenomena. Direct measurements of scattered electromagnetic energy and simulation data is gathered for a frequency bandwidth of 6-18 GHz. Both ray tracing and scattering center approaches are used to describe the bistatic mechanisms. An appraisal of the effectiveness and utility of the monostatic-to-bistatic equivalence theorems (Kell's and Crispin's) and several commercial scattering prediction codes is also accomplished. Simulation data is generated from two different electromagnetic scattering prediction codes, Xpatch and FISC. Xpatch is a physical optics (PO) based code while FISC is a more rigorous method of moments (MOM) based tool. This data is utilized to achieve three objectives: (1) study Kell's and Crispin's monostatic-to-bistatic equivalence theorems (MBET) for a complex object through theoretical derivations and comparison of measured and simulated data sets, (2) evaluate the performance of Xpatch and FISC through direct comparisons to measured data, and (3) gain insight into the bistatic scattering phenomenology while extracting appropriate rules-of-thumb for bistatic scattering predictions. These rules of thumb are proposed to help guide the reader in evaluating the bistatic RCS of complex shapes in general.

The leading text and reference on radar cross section (RCS) theory and applications, this work presents a comparison of two radar signal strengths. One is the strength of the radar bean sweeping over a target, the other is the strength of the reflected echo senses by the receiver. This book shows how the RCS "gauge" can be predicted for theoretical objects.

This updated edition provides a solid understanding of radar fundamentals and applications with far less of the mathematical rigor and technical data presented in engineering books for specialists.

Methods of Radar Cross-section Analysis

With this book practitioners responsible for analyzing, specifying or evaluating RCS imaging systems will be able to define performance limits using basic physical and mathematical principles. Information on instrumentation systems for acquiring data and two new chapters on applications of new techniques are included. The emphasis of the book is on imaging as applied to radar cross-section measurements. With it the reader will learn how to use the latest techniques to perform RCS imaging in laboratory or outdoor test ranges. This book is suitable for self-study or for use in a short course for practising engineers.

The book is a complete, comprehensive description of the modern Physical Theory of Diffraction (PTD) based upon the concept of elementary edge waves. The theory is demonstrated with examples of the diffraction of acoustic and electromagnetic waves at perfectly reflecting objects. Readers develop the skills to apply PTD to solve various scattering problems. The derived analytic expressions clearly illustrate the physical structure of the scattered field. They additionally describe all of the reflected and diffracted rays and beams, as well as the fields in the vicinity of caustics and foci. Shadow radiation, a fundamental component of PTD, is introduced and proven to contain half the total scattered power. The equivalence relationships between acoustic and electromagnetic diffracted waves are established and emphasized. Throughout the book, the author enables readers to master both the theory and its practical applications. Plotted numeric results supplement the theory and facilitate the visualization of individual contributions of distinct parts of the scattering objects to the total diffracted field Detailed comments help readers understand and implement all the critical steps of the analytic and numeric calculations Problem sets in each chapter give readers an opportunity to analyse and investigate the diffraction phenomena

This implementation of the physical optics approximation method for predicting the radar cross section (RCS) of complex objects utilizes the scientific computational features of MATLAB and its Graphical User Interface (Gui) functions to provide an error-free encoding of input parameters and efficient calculation. The POFACETS GUI provides a convenient tool for both students and electromagnetic professionals to design complex models by representing its component parts as triangular facets and offers options for defining the surface roughness of the scattering object. The GUI calculates the monostatic or bistatic radar cross section of the modeled object based on certain radar frequencies and parameters of interest, creates a variety of plots for the model geometry and its RCS measurement, and provides additional functionalities to enhance visualization of the object and check for accuracy of data. Various help windows and messages are available to the user to serve as guide in the efficient use of the GUI. The simplicity of the GUI design does not require the user to have a detailed understanding of the various steps involved in the RCS calculation.