Polarimetric Radar Cross Section Measurements Research Articles

Solution for polarimetric radar cross section measurement and calibration

The exact radar cross-section (RCS) measurement is difficult when the scattering of targets is low. Full polarimetric calibration is one technique that offers the potential for improving the accuracy of RCS measurements. There are numerous polarimetric calibration algorithms. Some complex expressions in these algorithms cannot be easily used in an engineering practice. A radar polarimetric coefficients matrix (RPCM) with a simpler expression is presented for the monostatic radar polarization scattering matrix (PSM) measurement. Using a rhombic dihedral corner reflector and a metallic sphere, the RPCM can be obtained by solving a set of equations, which can be used to find the true PSM for any target. An example for the PSM of a metallic dish shows that the proposed method obviously improves the accuracy of cross-polarized RCS measurements.

Nonlinear Calibration of Polarimetric Radar Cross Section Measurement Systems

Polarimetric radar cross section measurement systems are characterized by polarimetric system parameters eh and ev. These parameters can be measured by use of rotating dihedrals. The full polarimetric dataset as a function of the angle of rotation can be analyzed with a nonlinear set of calibration equations to yield the system-parameter complex constants and the four polarimetric-calibration amplitudes. These amplitudes appropriately reproduce the system's drift, and very accurately satisfy a drift-free system-configuration criterion. The results indicate that the nonlinear approach is better than the previously studied linear approach, which yielded system parameters that were seriously distorted by system drift.

Wide-band multiport antenna characterization by polarimetric RCS measurements

A theoretical description of the scattering of multiport antennas is derived in accordance with the polarimetric radar target characterization. For two-port antennas with dual linear orthogonal polarization, a procedure for the determination of the antenna mode scattering parameters and the structural scattering parameters of the complete polarimetric antenna scattering matrix [S] is given. A measurement setup and experimental results of wide-band polarimetric radar cross section (RCS) antenna measurements are presented. For two-port antennas, in total, 24 unknowns have to be determined. The load variation method is used. The polarimetric RCS antenna measurement is especially advantageous over a wide bandwidth; for example 2-40 GHz with only one single calibration. From the antenna scattering matrix [S], the antenna parameters like polarimetric gain, optimum gain, gain bandwidth, wave admittance, structural scattering, etc., are derived. Results are shown for an X-band horn antenna and a 2-18-GHz dual linearly polarized horn. The measurement technique and evaluation gives the most complete and very accurate information about antenna radiation, antenna characteristics, and scattering obtainable with one single measurement setup. Some quantities determined here, like the maximum available gain and the polarization characteristics, are difficult to access with standard transmission measurements. No cable from the antenna to the receiver is necessary. This helps avoid some difficulties usually experienced at low signal levels.