Compound scattering matrix of targets aligned in the range direction

The Sinclair scattering matrix is defined in a fixed radar range. If a rada r target extends in the range direction, the reflected signal or the compou nd scattering matrix will undergo interaction of multiple reflections. Sinc e scattering matrix is subject to target parameters such as shape, size, or ientation, material, and radar parameters as frequency, polarization, and i ncidence angle, it is difficult to specify a representative scattering matr ix of a general target. Therefore we choose the simplest target, wire, and its scattering matrix to examine the effect of targets aligned in the range direction with respect to the compound scattering matrix. First, we presen t a simple formula for the compound scattering matrix of wires with the pha se difference due to spacing. Then, we employed the FDTD method to examine the scattering phenomena, changing the spacing in the range direction. The FDTD result reveals that two wires can become sphere (plate) and dihedral c omet reflector (diplane) component generators: and that four wires can beco me a good helix component generator. These phenomena are verified with a la boratory measurement. From the result. the target decomposition should be c arefully carried out in terms of range. If a range resolution of a radar is not high enough, the scattering matrix of the desired target may be affect ed by the targets behind.