Characterization of Reflection Co-efficient for Ground-to-Aircraft and Satellite-to-Aircraft Communication Links

Abstract

Because of high sensitivity and long range capability in modern radars, Radar Cross-Section (RCS) is to be considered one of the most important factors in the performance evaluation of stealth technology and for defense applications, especially those that deal with airborne weapon system. In this thesis, a concrete relationship is established between RCS and reflection coefficient for the two proposed scenarios, i.e. Ground-to-Aircraft and Satellite-to-Aircraft communication links. In this study, the world’s largest commercial Aircraft A380 is selected as the target object. The 3D realistic model of the Aircraft A380 and its stereolithography (STL) file is develop in AutoCAD software. Geometrical models of the two proposed scenarios are used for the correct estimation of the incidence angles for the target aircraft. The well-established software tool developed by David C. Jenn, known as POFACETS is used for the correct estimation of the RCS. The obtained RCSs of A380 at different incident angles are used to find the reflection coefficients of the target aircraft. Factors that affect the behavior of RCS, i.e. orientation, incidence angles, and frequency have been studied and analyzed. Fluctuation on the gain or ratio of RCS major spike to minor spikes are deeply discussed. Various results of RCS is simulated in Matlabr against bistatic angles for both Ground-to-Aircraft and Satellite-to-Aircraft Communication Links.