Radar Cross Section Calculation with Physical Optics Method

Tolga Özcan

Graduate Student, Electronics and Communication Engineering Faculty
İstanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469, İstanbul, TURKEY
e-mail: turkalkan@hotmail.com

Selçuk Paker

Assistant Professor, Electronics and Communication Engineering Faculty
İstanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469, İstanbul, TURKEY
e-mail: spaker@itu.edu.tr

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present the success of the Physical Optics Approximation especially in calculating the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of the large 3-D objects such as ships and planes. The Physical Optics Approximation provides an estimate for the unknown currents that gives relatively accurate results for electrically large bodies. Using the method of separating the objects into triangular parts (facets) makes the approximation more appropriate for designing new platforms that have minimum radar cross section area in computer environment.