State of the art in computational methods for the prediction of radar cross-sections and antenna–platform interactions

In this paper, a review is presented on computational methods for the prediction of Radar Cross-Sections (RCS) and antenna–platform interactions. In a first part the techniques for RCS computations are considered. A list of frequency and time domain solvers for the Maxwellʹs equations are given with their performances in memory requirements and run-time. Boundary Elements Methods, Finite Difference Time Domain Methods, Finite Elements—Finite Volume Methods, Hybridization and Factorization Techniques, are reviewed. The exceptional performances of the Fast Multipole Method compared to those of the classical Moment Method are especially highlighted. We have also made mention of some recent research work on numerical techniques conducted in France. Asymptotic methods are mainly discussed in the second part of this article devoted to antenna–platform interactions. After a brief description of the historical evolution of Geometrical Theory of Diffraction tools for antenna analysis and design, the advantages and drawbacks of different techniques for generating the geometry and searching the rays are discussed. Then a list of unsolved problems and lines of future research on asymptotic techniques are presented together with an example of a computer code founded on the Uniform Theory of Diffraction. In the conclusion some new research topics such as higher order finite elements defined on surfaces represented by B-Splines and macro-basis functions containing information on the phase or derived from analytical or asymptotic solutions are briefly introduced. To cite this article: F. Molinet et al., C. R. Physique 6 (2005).