Date of Award

3-19-2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Department

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

Peter J. Collins, PhD

Abstract

Use of data-linked strings to support a bistatic antenna is being considered as a possible improvement to indoor bistatic radar cross section measurement systems. Analysis of candidate data-linked strings is required to understand the potential clutter contribution posed by such a system. The main objective of this research is to determine the scattering properties of four data-linked support string samples. An- other goal is to determine the material properties of the string material through nondestructive means if possible. The final goal is to model the samples as a single wire coated with a dielectric material and determine the validity of the model. To meet these goals, the two dimensional radar cross section of each sample is measured with a focused beam system. The resulting measurements are used in conjunction with an analytic model of a dielectric-coated wire to estimate the material proper- ties of the string material. Finally, a dielectric-coated wire model for each sample is analyzed using COMSOL Multiphysics software, and the results are compared with the measured two dimensional radar cross section. As a result of this study, the two dimensional radar cross section of each sample is presented for both vertical and horizontal polarizations. Also, the effective relative permittivity of each string sample is found and used in the COMSOL model. The COMSOL models are shown to be relatively accurate representations of the string samples.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GE-ENG-09-24

DTIC Accession Number

ADA499180

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