Potentials of ultra-short-pulse timedomain scattering measurements

• Published in: IEEE antennas & propagation magazine 2000-08, Vol.42 (4), p.35-45
• Main Authors: Van Cappellen, W A, de Jongh, R V, Ligthart, L P
• Format: Magazinearticle
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1045-9243

This article illustrates the potentials of ultra-short-pulse time-domain scattering measurements, and describes a facility to perform such measurements. The main advantages of measuring in the time domain are the high range resolution and the relatively simple measurement setup. A time-domain radar cross section measurement of a flat plate is performed to illustrate the advantages of such methods over a conventional frequency-domain setup. The measurement was performed with a sampling oscilloscope, a pulse generator, and two 2-12 GHz ridged-horn antennas. Because the horns were not designed for transmitting transient signals, an additional system-response measurement, in combination with a software deconvolution algorithm, restored the impulse response of the object under test. Further processing separated the response of the object from clutter. A comparison of the time-domain data with calculated and measured frequency domain radar cross sections shows good agreement. The high range resolution (100 ps) enabled the separation of scattering mechanisms (i.e., reflection, single, and multiple diffraction). It is concluded that ultrashort-pulse time-domain measurements could be very beneficial. (Author)