RCS Calculations for Phased Array System Toolbox

Hi As far as I understand MATLAB does not provide for RCS calculations. It just take in the values we feed into the target model.

Can you explain the RCS inputs for Matlab and how we can integrate it with some other RCS calculation tool like cadRCS, or any other you may like to suggest?

Answer 1

[Honglei Chen]

There is currently no direct API between Phased Array System Toolbox and other tools like Xpatch or cadRCS.

I'm not familiar with cadRCS so I can't comment for workaround there. Xpatch seems to have a way to export a text file. Once you have that text file, you can import it into MATLAB and feed the number in it to the target.

HTH

[Anunay Sinha]

Am not sure if am entirely correct here and forgive me for asking questions with limited knowledge that I have on this subject, Xpatch gives four set of values HH VV HV and VH for different polarizations. However target RCS in Phase array toolbox takes in mean RCS value only. How can we map that?

[Honglei Chen]

Each value could be considered as an RCS. If you want to do the simulation including polarization, you will need Phased Array System Toolbox 2.0 (released with R2013a), in which you can specify the scattering matrix in the target.

HTH

Answer 2

[Pourya Alinezhad]

as you may know most approximate methods can predict RCS within few dBs of the truth. In general, such a variation is quite acceptable by radar engineers and designers. Approximate methods are usually the main source for predicting RCS of complex and extended targets such as aircrafts, ships, and missiles. When experimental results are available, they can be used to validate and verify the approximations.

Some of the most commonly used approximate methods are Geometrical Optics (GO), Physical Optics (PO), Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (GTD), Physical Theory of Diffraction (PTD), and Method of Equivalent Currents (MEC).these are approximations which we use to calculate RCS....

Already there are programmes coded with matlab for RCS calculation which you can find them in "MATLAB Simulations for Radar Systems Design - Bassem R. Mahafza & Atef Z. Elsherbeni" ebook.

[Anunay Sinha]

Thanks, Will go through the book you mentioned. However am not an expert in electronics and have to simulate working of RADAR(job Hazard...), so am more interested with the integration with some of the existing radar calculation tool. Now there are no free lunches and will go through what you have provided. But just in case you have any information for some open source or commercial RCS calculation tools please let me know. I on my part came across XPATCH cadRCS and PUMA-EM.

Answer 3

[Pourya Alinezhad]

ok... use HH VV HV and VH values for different polarizations for your simulation in matlab. in each elevation and azimuth angle you have different RCS's.in radar simulation you have to mention elevation and azimuth degrees. take a look at first chapter ( radar range equation) problem solved ... :D