Opportunities and challenges inRCSmeasurement of 9-mm bullet model with77 GHzmmwaveCOTSradar systems

Abstract

This article indicates a thus far unexplored area of applied research and development to the application and system engineers and researchers from broad engineering backgrounds. Results of a study are presented for measurement of calibrated Radar Cross Section (RCS) of a 9-mm bullet (projectile) model by using a commercial-of-the-shelf (COTS) millimeter wave Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar system operating in 77 to 81 GHz frequency range. The calibrated RCS variation against the aspect angle is measured experimentally, analyzed, and compared with the simulation results which shows fair matching between the two. The opportunities and challenges attached with the use of such COTS systems for development of Hostile Fire Indication (HFI) systems are discussed. This bullet type and this mmwave frequency has not been thus far studied and reported in literature. This may motivate interested individuals/entities to try to measure (at acceptable accuracy before anechoic chamber measurements) RCS of similar low-size objects by using such low-cost COTS platforms.