Radar Background Signal Reduction Study.
Abstract
This report summarizes a study whose objective was to identify materials and/or techniques to reduce radar background signals for ground plane radar cross section (RCS) ranges. Background signal reduction is essential for improving the accuracy of RCS measurements and the primary application is for operations at the RATSCAT range on the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. A survey of current literature revealed no new materials or techniques. A computer-aided design study showed that the control of the electrical properties of a target support column has few benefits, although one specific design showed substantial performance capabilities if fabrication techniques can be developed. A numerical post facto method (vector field subtraction) for background reduction was evaluated by the use of mathematically generated data. The results showed that aspect angle alignment is important and experimental verification and evaluation is clearly needed. Column shaping was studied experimentally, but the results were inconclusive. The 'volume' return from a target support column may constitute the irreducible signal, which is unaffected by shape. Low frequency background signals are due to inadequate instrumentation and anomalies in the ground plane behavior. Diagnostic testing was suggested as a way of determining the background signal sources, and test results should indicate the corrective action to be taken. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA099560
Entities
People
- C. J. Ray
- E. F. Knott
- M. S. West
- R. J. Wohlers
Organizations
- Georgia Tech