The Effect of System Depolarization on Measurement Quality

Abstract

Radar systems are susceptible to depolarization effects caused by the system and the environment. System effects include depolarization caused by antennas and measurement configurations. Antenna effects arise from the assumption that the cross polarization isolation response is infinite across the beamwidth of the antenna. In fact, the isolation response can be as high as -20 dB at boresight to 0 dB 2-3 degrees off-axis. Depolarization due to measurement configurations comes from the translation necessary to match antenna coordinate system to the clutter coordinate frame. For large beamwidths at small angles of incidence this translation can cause significant depolarization. These phenomena have been investigated separately in the monostatic case. This research extends previous work done in the monostatic case to the bistatic case. A computer simulation was developed which models a bistatic clutter environment. The simulation models depolarization sources caused by system and surface effects.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA172917

Entities

People

  • Robert J. Nelson

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Antennas
  • Capillary Electrophoresis
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Cross Polarization
  • Data Storage Systems
  • Depolarization
  • Electromagnetic Scattering
  • Geometry
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Polarization
  • Radar
  • Scattering
  • Simulations

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering
  • Phased Array Antenna Design.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.