Multistatic radar signature measurement apparatus

摘要

A multistatic radar signature measurement apparatus comprising a curvilinear sensor array of photonic sensors which are used to measure the radar cross section of a target. The array of photonic sensors provide for the simultaneous collection of target scattered measurement data over an approximately semi-spherical field of view. Laser light passing through each photonic sensor of the sensor array is modulated by the photonic sensor in direct proportion to the strength/intensity of scattered waves from the target as the scattered waves pass through each photonic sensor of the sensor array. The modulated light from each sensor of the sensor array is then transmitted to an optical switching network which samples the optical signals from the array. The sampled optical signals are next provided to an RF receiver which converts the sampled optical signals to equivalent RF electrical signals. An analog to digital converter then samples and digitizes the RF signals from the RF receiver providing at its output a serial data stream which is supplied to a digital computer. The digital computer processes the serial data stream from the analog to digital converter calculating the radar cross section for the target.