New technique for the evaluation of the scattering cross-sections of radar corner reflectors

A numerical technique has been developed for the evaluation of the monostatic radar cross-sections of any regular shape of corner reflector consisting of three orthogonal plates. During a data processing sequence, for any given angle of incidence, the reflector effective area is mapped out by a series of boundary lines which enclose the projections of the real and image apertures of the reflector on an oblique plane, this plane being orthogonal to the incident ray direction and passing through the reflector apex. The area, which can be related to the scattering cross-section, is then computed by an integration process which involves logical decisions regarding the choice of boundary lines. The technique has been applied to a particular reflector geometry consisting of two triangular plates and one square plate, developed for use with the European SAR-580 project.