Comparisons Between Simulated and Measured X-band Signatures of Quad-, Hexa- and Octocopters

Abstract

This paper presents and compares finite element method (FEM) and method of moments (MoM) monostatic radar cross-section (RCS) simulation results for an example quadcopter, hexacopter and octocopter at X-band, as well as comparing the simulations against measurements for quad- and hexacopters. In particular we explore the extent to which simplified CAD models can be used to estimate the scattering from multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). We also consider the importance of model complexity for micro-Doppler rotor simulations.