A simple and practical reference target for RCS measurements

The radiation characteristics of a 90 deg dihedral corner reflector are examined in detail, showing that, with the proper choice of the measurement scnning plane, it can be conveniently used as reference target in experimental determinations of RCS. For a careful evaluation of its radar cross section, the numerical model, developed by using the P.O. and the image method, has been improved taking into account also the rays diffracted by the corner edges and lighting the faces. The agreement of such a model with the experimental results is very good and the errors related to an incorrect scanning plane are small even for appreciable angular deviations. An evaluation of the errors resulting in the use of the simpler G.O. model is also given.