Measurement and interpretation of radar cross section data in an educational setting: A comparison between simulations and experiments

Abstract

In order to improve the understanding of radar technology, and especially the interpretation of radar cross section (RCS) data by undergraduate students, we developed a study where the RCS of objects having simple and complex geometries were obtained using a simulation software tool and a radar training system consisting of an inverse synthetic aperture radar designed to operate at close range in an academic laboratory or classroom environment. The comparison of results obtained by both methods demonstrated the advantage of using simulations and experiments to interpret RCS data. Moreover, the simulations provided the students with an important visual information, and the radar operation allowed the students valuable hands-on experience with rather sophisticated equipment.