X-band RADAR Reflected Signal Measurement of Gallium-based Liquid Metal

Abstract

RADAR(Radio Detection and Ranging) is an important system for surveillance and reconnaissance by detecting a reflected signal which obtains the range from the radar to the target, and the velocity of the target. The magnitude of the reflected signal varies due to the radar cross section of the target, characteristic of the transmission and reception antenna, distance between the radar and the target, and power and wavelength of the transmitted signal. Thus, the RCS is the important characteristic of the target to determine if the target can be observed by the RADAR system. It is based on the material and shape of the target. We have measured the reflection signal of a simple square-shaped (20 × 20 cm) target made of a new material, a gallium-based liquid metal alloy and compared that of well-known metals including copper, aluminum. The magnitude of reflected signal of the aluminum target was the largest and it was 2.4 times larger than that of the liquid metal target. We also investigated the effect of the shape by measuring reflectance of the F-22 3D model(~1/95 ratio) target covered with/without copper, aluminium, and liquid metal. The largest magnitude of the reflected signal measured from side-view with the copper-covered F-22 model was 2.6 times greater than that of liquid metal. The reflectance study of the liquid metal would be helpful for liquid metal-based frequency selective surface or metamaterials.