RADAR CROSS-SECTION MEASUREMENTS USING NEAR-FIELD RADAR IMAGING

In this paper a technique to obtain the far-field scattering signature of bodies, using near-held measurements, is proposed. The method is b ased on near-field radar imaging techniques. The backscattered field d ata are collected in a controlled environment over a large frequency b and and aspect angle using a near-field antenna. A focused radar image of the body is generated. Probe correction to compensate for the radi ation pattern of the interrogating antenna is conducted during the two -dimensional imaging of the object. The contribution from each scatter ing center to the total backscattered far-field is obtained from the r adar image. The proposed technique is applied to obtain the far-field radar cross section (RCS) for an object from near-field measurements c onducted in an anechoic chamber at the University of Pretoria, South A frica.