A Comparison of Computational Electromagnetic Methods for the Prediction of Radar Cross Section
Abstract
The effectiveness of the various Radar Cross Section (RCS) prediction techniques was investigated. The RCS of square flat plates was analyzed using the Physical Optics approximation, the Physical Theory of Diffraction, the Geometrical Theory of Diffraction, the Uniform Theory of Diffraction, and the Moment Method or Method of Moments. The RCS predicted by the computational methods was compared to measurements performed in an anechoic RCS membership chamber. Also, the five computational methods were compared to each other in terms of plate size (in wavelengths), computer (CPU) time required for computational integrity. It was found that although the Moment Method is the most accurate RCS prediction method, it takes to much CPU time for large plates (over 2.5 wavelengths). The Uniform Theory of Diffraction, on the other hand, is accurate for large plates and takes less CPU time than the Moment Method. The Geometric Theory of Diffraction is also accurate but fails near the edge of the plate. Finally, the Physical Theory of Diffraction and the Physical Optics approximation are relatively inaccurate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA177718
Entities
People
- Ulice J. Macias
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology