MEASURED RCS POLAR CONTOUR MAPS FOR CODE VALIDATION

Abstract

Measured radar cross-section (RCS) data as a function of the angle of incidence and of the frequency over a wide range provide an excellent basis for code validation. This paper examines the RCS of six targets measured as a function of the angle of incidence of the plane wave, and of the frequency, through and beyond the resonance range of target size. The RCS is presented as a function of frequency and incidence angle using a color contour map in a polar format, with the radius proportional to the frequency. Such polar contour maps exhibit striking patterns to the underlying scattering mechanisms and target geometry. The RCS as a function of incidence angle and frequency is available from the authors for an extensive collection of targets. [Vol. 11, No. 3 (1996), pp 25-43]