Modeling target variability using the SBR technique [radar applications]

In this paper, we presented an approach to predict the statistical moments of radar cross section due to dimensional variability when using the SBR (shooting and bouncing ray tracing) technique. The various sources of dimension variability include manufacturing tolerances and CAD modeling errors due to limited knowledge of the target. Though we derived the first two moments, higher order moments can also be systematically derived using this methodology. This approach can also be extended to other sources of target and sensor variabilities.

Introduction

Most electromagnetic formulations are derived for deterministic scenarios in which all pieces of the problem are assumed stationary. However, realistic targets are subject to a number of sources of uncertainty such as manufacturing tolerances in ground targets, flexing of aircraft wings during flight, pose uncertainty with respect to absolute position or rotation during a radar measurement, damage, and many other extended operating conditions(EOCs). In this paper we present a stochastic EM formulation for the SBR technique for simulating the effects of target variability on radar signatures.