Near-field 3D-RCS measurement simulation: Antenna pattern issues

Radar Cross Section (RCS) measurements of a target should be useful for each orientation angle of the target. Usually, measurements in an anechoic chamber on a classical styrofoam mast provide RCS data as a function of only one roll and one elevation cuts. In order to characterize full 3D near field monostatic RCS of small targets, an indoor experimental layout has been developed in CEA/CESTA. This measurement facility is composed of a motorized rotating arch holding the measurement antenna, operated over the range [2GHz, 12 GHz] for both HH and VV polarizations. The radar range equal to 4 meters. To quantify the capability of this layout to characterize the full 3D near field monostatic RCS of a target, a model has been developed, including the near-field illumination of the measurement antenna. This paper describes the implemented software and how the near field illumination is simulated over the operating frequency range. Comparisons between simulations and measurements of a canonical target are finally presented.