An Efficient Scheme for Quasi-Dynamic RCS Estimation of Multiple Targets Based on Polarization Scattering Matrices

The radar cross section (RCS) of multiple maneuvering targets is essential for radar design. However, it is challenging to make an accurate and real-time estimation for large problems. This letter proposes a novel scheme for efficient quasi-dynamic RCS estimation for multiple targets based on offline polarization scattering matrices (PSMs) of each target. It exploits the fact that the scattering characteristics of each target remain unchanged when they are in motion, and the PSM can be treated as its transfer function. The scattering fields of multiple targets are approximated by first calculating the response of each target separately and then synthesizing them. Therefore, the multiple targets scattering problem is decomposed into small subproblems, and the transfer function of each target can be reused. An error estimate is also derived to assess the effectiveness of the results. Two numerical examples involving several missiles and airplanes demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. Results show that the proposed scheme can significantly reduce memory consumption and enhances online computational efficiency while maintaining a high level of accuracy in the RCS estimation compared with the traditional full-wave methods.