Implementation of an image-based near-field-to-far-field transformation for a W band radar cross section measurement facility

Abstract

As part of the Microwave and Radar Institute (HR), in Oberpaffenhofen near Munich, the Signatures team conducts measurements of scattered electromagnetic fields at a W-band measurement facility. HR is part of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). As final goal the Signatures team aims to determine RCS of objects from the measured scattered field. The scattered field is, however, measured in the near-field region, this does not allow to directly determine RCS from the measured field. As a solution a near field to far field transformation (NFFFT) is applied. The special feature of the applied NFFFT is its improved focusing operator. The already available software for NFFFT and RCS determination lacks performance and usability. Therefore, the goal of this thesis is to implement an improved software for NFFFT and RCS computation purposes. The numerical routines applied by the application are tailored for the W-band measurement facility