Use of Clustered Feeds in a Compact Range for RCS Measurements

Authors: Marion C. Baggett and Dr. William G. Swarner

Publication: AMTA 1990

Copyright Owner: NSI-MI Technologies

Increased productivity and higher resolution imaging capabilities are becoming of greater concern for RCS ranges. The ideal measurement scenario involves taking data on all desired frequencies for a target configuration in a single rotation. This could involve one or more frequencies in several bands, imaging data on more than one band or very high resolution imaging data covering several bands. Placing several feeds in a cluster at the focal point of an offset fed com-pact range can provide these capabilities. The effects of feed clustering such as beam tilt are discussed along with cluster sizes that provide little if any degradation in compact range performance. Experimental data is shown that gives an indication of the quality of data that may be obtained. The concepts are also applicable for outdoor ranges that have an array of antennas offset from range boresight.