No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Calibrated radar images are often quantified as radar cross section. This interpretation, which is not strictly correct, can lead to misunderstanding of test target scattering properties. To avoid confusion, we recommend that a term such as "scattering brightness" (defined below) be adopted as a standard label for image-domain data.

This paper describes a diagnostic radar cross section (RCS) measurement system which uses a low-power, wideband, linear-FM radar to provide RCS responses of targets as a function of frequency, range, cross range, and angle. Range and frequency responses are produced by using an FFT analyzer and a desktop computer to perform on-ine signal processing and provide rapid access to fmal results. Twodimensional maps of the target RCS distribution in range and cross range are obtained by off-line processing of recorded data. The system processes signals resulting from a swept bandwidth exceeding 3 GHz to provide range resolution of less than 10 cm. The various operating modes of the instrumentation provide a powerful tool for RCS diagnostic efforts in which individual scattering sources must be isolated and characterized. Several examples of results obtained from measurements of a number of simple and complex shapes are presented to demonstrate the utility and performance limits of the instrumentation.