Time Domain Gating in RCS Measurements

Author: J. L. Bradberry

Publication: AMTA 1986

Copyright Owner: NSI-MI Technologies

Gating is a widely used technique of improving RCS measurements. However, the exact type of gating used has a dramatic effect on such parameters as dynamic range and clutter rejection. Time Domain Gating offers significant advantages over software gating as used in some network and spectrum analyzers. This paper explores a technique used by Scientific-Atlanta in CW and FMCW RCS measurements. With the adaptation of an external computer controlled hardware gating unit, existing RCS and antenna systems can be retrofitted for significant performance improvements.