Validation of near-field monostatic to bistatic equivalence theorem

The purpose of this research is to quantitatively determine the limits of Falconer's monostatic to bistatic equivalence theorem (MBET). Falconer developed two extensions to Kell's MBET, one applicable to near zone data and one valid in the far zone region. This work encompassed collecting and analyzing both monostatic and bistatic radar cross section (RCS) data for perfect electric conducting (PEC) objects. Specifically, this research analyzes the effects of varying the parameters of transmission frequency, object shape complexity, and receiver bistatic angle. Objects range in geometric complexity from canonical objects comprised of simple scatterers to multifaceted composites that sustain numerous interactions. Empirical data collected in the far zone are compared to analytical predictions produced by commercially available electromagnetic computer codes, both a method of moments (MoM) code and a near-field physical optics code. The codes ran at X-band through K-band frequencies for a comparison with object data. Further, the empirical bistatic data are compared to the estimate produced by the MBET, to ascertain the region in which the MBET approximation is applicable. Finally, electromagnetic computer codes are used to produce near-field scartering predictions to facilitate validation of Falconer's near-field MBET.