Ultra-Thin Fss Based Radar Absorbing Structure For X-Band Applications

Abstract

Radar Absorbing Structures (RAS) are widely used in defense applications in order to reduce the electromagnetic reflections from predominant hotspots. With majority of military radars operating in X-band, thin frequency selective absorbers catering to this frequency range are the need of the hour especially for airborne platforms. In this regard, a novel ultra-thin Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) based RAS with superior absorption performance in the frequency range of 8GHz to 12GHz is presented. The absorption characteristics and radar cross-section (RCS) of the RAS has been analysed using commercially available EM simulation software. Further, the ultra-thin RAS, with a thickness of 0.053l at the centre frequency, has been fabricated and the performance parameters have been measured. The measurement results show that the percentage of power absorbed by the proposed RAS is greater than 90% over majority of X-band. In addition, it provides atleast 8dB RCS reduction (RCSR) in monostatic as well as bistatic modes of operation in comparison with its metallic counterpart of identical dimensions.