Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation

Paul T Fisher

Carl A Mentzer

Donald J Berg

A measurement chamber which surrounds a target of interest intersected by a line defined by focal points associated with the measurement chamber and which separates and extracts scattered signals from the measurement chamber, includes a chamber having an interior defined by rotation of a nonlinear curve about the line, and first and second focusing elements which couple the scattered signals out of the measurement chamber. According to one aspect of the invention, the measurement chamber further includes first and second absorbing material sections which absorb the scattered signals, and which are disposed proximate to the distal ends of the first and second focusing elements, respectively. Alternatively, a measurement chamber which surrounds a target of interest disposed on the centerline of the measurement chamber and which separates and extracts scattered signals from the measurement chamber, includes a chamber having an interior defined by rotation of first and second non-linear curves about the centerline, and first and second focusing elements which couple the scattered signals out of the measurement chamber. Preferably, the first non-linear curve is a parabola having a focal point located on the centerline, while the second non-linear curve is a parabola having a focal point offset from the centerline by a predetermined offset distance. A corresponding measurement system is also described.

Low radar cross-section (RCS) measurement chamber and associated

A support member for a measurement chamber, which measurement chamber surrounds a target of interest intersected by a line defined by focal points associated with the measurement chamber, and which chamber separates and extracts unwanted scattered signals from the measurement chamber, the measurement chamber including a chamber section having an interior defined by rotation of a nonlinear curve about the line, and first and second focusing elements which couple the scattered signals out of the chamber section, includes a surface for attaching at least one of the target of interest and a source generating signals scattered by the target of interest and a sting element which is coaxial with the line and which is coincident with one of the focal points. According to one aspect of the present invention, the source is attached to the surface and supported by a sting element which is defined a body of rotation about the line. According to another aspect of the present invention, the target of interest, which is disposed between the source and the sting element, is attached to the surface. Preferably, selected surfaces of the support element are covered by radar absorbing material. According to another aspect of the present invention, first and second support elements are provided to support the source and target of interest, respectively. Low RCS measurement chambers and systems are also described.

Low radar cross-section (RCS) support pylon and low RCS measurement

A low RCS measurement system includes a measurement chamber which surrounds a target of interest intersected by a line defined by focal points associated with the measurement chamber and which separates and extracts scattered signals from the measurement chamber system, the measurement chamber system including a chamber having an interior defined by rotation of a nonlinear curve about the line, and first and second focusing elements which couple the scattered signals out of the chamber, a signal source which emits signals along the line, wherein the emitted signals interact with the target of interest to thereby produce the undesirable scattered signals and desirable backscattered signals, a source support pylon which supports an output element of the source and which couples the scattered signals out of the chamber, and a target support pylon, which supports the target of interest at one of the focal points, and which is coaxial with the line. The source support pylon includes a body of rotation about the line, and directs the scattered signals into one of the first and second focusing elements. Preferably, output element comprises a parabolic reflector. The source can include the parabolic reflector, a horn antenna and a subreflector, all of which are substantially coaxial with the line or the same elements, where the parabolic reflector intersects the line, while the horn antenna and the subreflector are disposed outside of the measurement chamber and communicate with the parabolic reflector via a window in the measurement chamber wall.

Growing community of inventors

Scottsdale, AZ, United States of America

Paul T Fisher