Calibration techniques for active RCS-targets

A Dual Reflector Compact Test Range is a versatile environment for measuring antenna radiation patterns as well as the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of radar targets. It is a common practice to achieve adequate accuracy for the antenna measurements by calibrating the test zone with a well-known standard, e.g. a calibrated standard gain horn. This method may not be sufficient for highly accurate measurement of test objects with antennas at offset positions. This paper shows a calibration technique used in the DLR Compact-Test-Range for an active C-band RCS-target with its TX- and RX-antenna at offset positions.