Modeling Methodology for Computing the Radar Cross Section and Doppler Signature of Wind Farms

Detailed modeling of radar scattering from wind turbines using commercial computational electromagnetic (CEM) tools requires large computing resources and extended run times. This paper will present a dynamic model specifically designed to model the radar cross-section (RCS) of wind turbines and the Doppler signature generated by the rotating blades in a rapid manner. The paper will elaborate on the methodology used for the meshing and the RCS computation of blades, tower and nacelle. Verification of the developed model against measured RCS of canonical shapes is provided. Finally, RCS and Doppler signature results of a generic turbine and a wind farm are presented.