Validation of FD-TD modeling of the radar cross section of three-dimensional structures spanning up to nine wavelengths

The validation of the finite-difference time-domain (FD-TD) method for modeling the monostatic radar cross section of three-dimensional conducting structures is reported. The structures modeled and tested span up to nine free-space wavelengths and exhibit such scattering physics as edge and corner diffraction, corner reflection, and cavity penetration. The results indicate that FD-TD provides a high modeling accuracy of 1 dB over at least a 40 dB dynamic range relative to reliable anechoic chamber measurements.