Performance Evaluation Using Multilayered Dielectric RF Reflector

Abstract

During design and development of airborne systems, flight test is one of the critical tests among many tests being performed for proving its flight worthy application. This test is undertaken to evaluate against some simulated aerial target. Target need to be characterized as a source of infrared or RF signature. In many applications, RF signature of simulated target is interrogated by the airborne system that is under evaluation and as well as by the instrumentation radars being used for providing complete flight trajectory performance evaluation. However, with the development in electronic warfare scenario, the target sizes have become smaller. In addition, stealth technology is used to deceive enemy radar. Therefore, it becomes quite challenging for radar engineer to get track of targets and provide the trajectographic information. Target assignment & its interception are carried out as per the tracked data. So, RF signature augmentation of aerial target is a critical need during performance evaluation in a Test Range. This paper analyses the effectiveness of passive RF signature augmentation using Luneberg Lens as multilayered dielectric RF reflector for flight test & its performance evaluation in a Test Range.