Signature modelling 2014-2016, final report

Authors:

  • Jan Fagerström
  • Åsa Andersson
  • Jimmy Berggren
  • Stefan Björkert
  • Ove Gustafsson
  • Magnus Gustavsson
  • Tomas Hallberg
  • Nils Karlsson
  • Roland Lindell
  • Kristian Petterson
  • Anna Pohl
  • Ingmar Renhorn
  • Niklas Wellander
  • Mathias Wilow
  • Erik Zdansky

Publish date: 2017-02-21

Report number: FOI-R--4357--SE

Pages: 34

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • Modelling
  • computation
  • radar signature
  • infrared signature
  • IR signature
  • target and background
  • electromagnetic scattering
  • polarization
  • measurement and validation

Abstract

The project "Signature modeling" is part of a commission from the Swedish national defence forces and this final report concludes activities and results from the time period 2014-2016. Some of the main purpose of the project is to develop, evaluate and by measurements validate methods and modeling tools for signature modeling, both within the radar and the infrared range. The need for reliable signature data has during the past years increased and is in many cases the important basis at different types of sensor evaluations, target recognition studies and/or battle simulations, in order to improve protection and/or sensor performance. The project has in several occasions delivered different types of platform signature data, both such available for measurements and validation and platforms with limited access. Part of the project assignment is also to follow the international development in the research area and to participate at conferences as well as publishing results in scientific journals, and participation in national and international collaborations. Part of the project also has a more long-term ambition to increase competence, to further develop modeling methodology and to be able to carry out computations with adequate accuracy as well as adding missing resources and abilities. During 2014-2016 the project has developed methods and methodology to compute signature properties both in the radar and the IR regions. Examples of research focus in the radar wavelength range is the development and validation of calculation methods for radar cross-section, signatures for marine applications by taking into account the effect of the water surface, modelling of inhomogeneities giving rise to scattering of radiation (e.g. clutter) and to develop abilities to validate calculations and models at FOI's outdoor measurement range Lilla Gåra. Within the IR range important efforts have been put on developing a surface scattering model with respect to the polarization properties of light, including measurements of surface scattering (so-called BRDF) of different kind of surfaces, and the development of modeling methods of full platforms which can be used as important input data for scene simulations. Examples of future needs of improvements are modeling of cavities, backgrounds, general materials, flames and plumes, in order to complete the characteristics of platform signatures.