Sparse numerical array feed for compact antenna and RCS ranges
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsDouglas Morgan, James Doty
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods enable numerically creating a flat field in a compact radar range with a curved reflector, and without use of a separate phased array of elements, at frequencies lower than those that are possible with currently known, reflector-only compact radar ranges. A compact radar range is calibrated to enable weighting factors to be computed. The weighting factors may be computed by performing an optimization algorithm. The weighting factors are used to weight separate target signals sequentially returned from a target zone such that, when combined, a numerically composite measurement has a substantially constant magnitude across the target zone.
Claims20
A method of numerically emulating far field radar conditions in a compact radar range, the method comprising:
- sequentially propagating off a curved reflector a plurality of spatially spaced-apart radar waves toward a target in a target zone of a compact radar range, all of the plurality of radar waves having a predetermined wavelength;
- applying a plurality of predetermined weighting factors to magnitudes of a plurality of target signals sequentially returned from the target to create a plurality of weighted magnitudes;
- and
- numerically combining the plurality of weighted magnitudes to generate a composite magnitude that is substantially constant across the target zone.
A method of calibrating a compact radar range, the method comprising:
- sequentially probing a radar field in target zone of a compact radar range with a plurality of spatially spaced-apart radar waves propagated from a plurality of spaced apart locations off a curved reflector, the plurality of radar waves having a predetermined wavelength;
- and
- computing a plurality of multiplier weighting factors for the plurality of locations using field probe data such that a composite magnitude of the field probe for all the locations is substantially constant across the target zone.
A system for numerically creating far field radar conditions in a compact radar range, the system comprising:
- a radar transceiver;
- at least one antenna element in signal communication with the radar transceiver and configured to sequentially transmit a plurality of radar waves from a plurality of spaced-apart locations, all of the plurality of radar waves having a predetermined wavelength;
- a curved reflector configured to reflect the plurality of spatially spaced-apart radar waves toward a target zone of a compact radar range;
- and
- a processor operatively coupled to the radar transceiver, the processor including:
- a first component configured to apply a plurality of predetermined weighting factors to magnitudes of a plurality of target signals sequentially returned from the target to create a plurality of weighted magnitudes;
- and
- a second component configured to numerically combine the plurality of weighted magnitudes to generate a composite magnitude that is substantially constant across the target zone.
The system of claim I 5, further comprising a sub-reflector configured to reflect the plurality of spatially spaced-apart radar waves from the plurality of locations toward the curved reflector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.