The ohio state university compact radar cross-section measurement range

The ElectroScience Laboratory at The Ohio State University has recently installed a new radar cross-section measurement system. The system uses a Scientific Atlanta compact range reflector (an offset parabolic reflector) to generate a far-field plane wave in the confines of a ft anechoic chamber. The system uses a computer controlled microwave frequency synthesizer and a multichannel computer controlled receiver. The target support/positioning system and an optical target alignment system are also interfaced to the computer. The parameters of the system are 1) operation from 1 to 30 GHz (eventual operation to 96 GHz has been confirmed by field probing); 2) a plane wave volume (test area volume) of 1.3 m diameter; and 3) a sensitivity of -50 dBsm. Of particular importance is the ability of the system to measure phase as well as amplitude. This permits vector subtraction of the background and system calibration using a reference (sphere) target. The development of this system and the performance characteristics obtained so far will be discussed. Some results which demonstrate the system performance will be shown. Of particular interest is the broad-band measurement of both amplitude and phase. This permits conversion of the results to the time domain. Examples will be shown in which the various system components (antennas, reflector, walls, ceiling, etc.) are separated in the time domain by this technique. The development of the range is continuing and planned future improvements will also be discussed.