The Small Resonant Sphere for Validating Radar Cross Section Measurement Accuracy

This paper presents research results conducted at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Radar Reflectivity Laboratory (RRL) to characterize RCS measurement quality of a compact range anechoic chamber using a small resonant sphere as a test probe measured over a 3.17-octave bandwidth, which covers the first half of the resonance region. Specifically, tests were performed on 1-inch and 12-inch diameter spheres over 2–18 GHz, which is a very prevalent test spectrum for RRL customers. The spheres were tested at the quiet zone center and the 1-inch was rotationally scanned over a 1- meter radial arc within the test zone. Spectral and spatial analysis was performed using techniques developed by Dr. Dean L. Mensa [1].