Fast and accurate radar cross-section computation over a broad frequency band using the best uniform rational approximation

Abstract

The method of moments (MOM) in conjugation with the best uniform rational approximation is applied to predict the broad-band radar cross-section of arbitrarily shaped three-dimensional (3D) bodies. The surface integral equations are solved using MOM to obtain the equivalent surface currents at the frequency points corresponding to the Chebyshev nodes, and then the surface current within the given frequency band is represented by the Chebyshev series. To improve the accuracy, the Chebyshev series is matched via the Maehly approximation to a rational function, which can be as good as the best uniform rational approximation. Using the rational function, the surface current is obtained at any frequency point within the frequency band. Numerical results for 3D arbitrarily shaped perfectly electric conducting objects and homogenous dielectric bodies are considered. Compared with the asymptotic waveform evaluation technique and the model-based parameter estimation, the proposed technique is accurate in much broader frequency band with lower memory required. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2008.