System Planning Corporation is the industry's leader in applying radar
cross section (RCS) measurement technology to determine the radar
scattering properties of models or full-scale articles. In 1980, SPC
embarked on an ambitious design, development, and fabrication program
that has resulted in the manufacture of five generations of low-RCS
measurement radars and the formulation of a sophisticated radar imaging
system. SPC was a leading participant in the design, construction, and
instrumentation of several major government and contractor-owned ranges
such as the Air Force RATSCAT Advanced Measurement System (RAMS)
facility.
In 1985, SPC constructed an indoor range facility, both for our own use
and for customer measurements conducted by SPC personnel. When SPC moved
in 2000, an indoor microwave measurement chamber was fully designed into
the new building. This facility augments present measurement capabilities
of our customers and provides range time to those who do not have access
to a range.
The facility, located at SPC's One Virginia Square location in Arlington,
Virginia, contains a high-quality echoic chamber (20' x 20' x 60'). The
range can be secured, allowing measurements for classified programs. The
range is normally instrumented with an MkV and/or MkIV coherent radar.
These radars are easily transportable to support off-site measurement
programs. The radars provide a variety of real-time data display formats
and SPC-developed data processing software can be used to reduce the
collected data to standard output formats or images. A model shop, offices,
laboratories, training, and SPC scientists and engineers are available to
range customers.
Several radars capable of 0.1 to 18 GHz and MMW are available for short-term
lease. The MkV radars represent the state-of-the-art in low-RCS measurement
technology. The MkIV radars are older but have many of the capabilities of
the MkV. All SPC radars are pulsed, coherent, frequency-agile measurement
systems that collect data for processing and display in a variety of formats,
including RCS vs. azimuth/frequency/downrange, phase vs. azimuth, and
two-dimensional ISAR images.
Target Mounting
Targets are mounted on a low-RCS foam column that can typically support targets
as large as 3' x 3' x 3' and up to 200 pounds. Typically, the antenna-to-target
separation is 25 ft, but this range can be varied. The column can be mounted on
a computer-controlled various azimuth-only rotators or an
azimuth-over-elevation positioner, all of which provide precisely controlled
target motion. The low-RCS column is easily replaced with an antenna mounting
structure to accommodate antenna measurements. Antennas can be mounted on
linear positioners for SAR measurements as well.
Training
Training courses are given in the range where students have hands-on
access to the radars and measurement support equipment. Courses include
theory and operation of indoor pulsed radar, MkV system architecture
and operation, and RCS measurement test planning. Software training demos are also
available either on CD-ROM or online.
Antenna Measurements
SPC's indoor ranges are used for a wide variety of antenna measurements.
These include E- and H-plane amplitude and phase patterns as well as
gain measurements. Standard ISAR image processing software is used to
produce both one- and two-way antenna images. These antenna images are
very useful for antenna diagnostics and RCS reduction. No radar
modifications are required to perform antenna measurements.
For More Information...
SPC's Indoor Microwave Measurement Facility is immediately available to
provide quick-reaction, low-cost measurement services. Our advanced
technology systems are operated by an experienced staff of innovative
scientists and engineers. For further information on how we can assist
you in solving very difficult measurement problems under the most
demanding conditions and tightest schedules, please call:
Dr. Earl V. Sager
System Planning Corporation
Ph: (703) 351-8656, Fax: (703) 351-8747
radar@sysplan.com
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- 2D imaging through SAR or ISAR techniques
- 3D imaging through combination of SAR and ISAR
- Frequency coverage: 2-18 GHz (other bands available)
- Maximum PRF: 2 MHz
- Minimum pulsewidth: 5 ns
- A/D resolution: 12 or 14 bits
- Dynamic range with integration: >90 dB
- Matrix: Full scattering matrix
- Frequency collection: Frequency-agile pulse-to-pulse, enabling multiple frequencies
- to be collected during one target rotation
- Online data outputs:
- RCS vs. azimuth
- High-resolution downrange
- High-resolution crossrange
- RCS vs. frequency
- Phase vs. azimuth
- Strip charts
- Data available for offline processing on CD-R, Hard Drive, Optical Disk, etc.
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