Seeing through radar: Exploring ISAR and RCS measurements

What does a radar actually see when detecting an object? At Qamcom, we're developing a dedicated measurement capability to help answer that question with greater precision.

Using our anechoic chamber in Gothenburg, our engineers are developing a method for measuring Radar Cross Section (RCS) and generating detailed radar images through Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) technology.

The video shows a commercial drone measured in our chamber. Generated entirely from real measurement data, it visualises how radar signals reflect off different parts of the drone, revealing which areas produce the strongest radar reflections.

Although the drone appears to rotate quickly in the video, the actual measurements took approximately three hours. By analysing the data, we can estimate how the drone would appear to radar systems at much greater distances.

The work is part of an ongoing effort to establish a reliable and repeatable ISAR and RCS measurement capability at Qamcom. With further development and validation of the processing algorithms, the aim is to make these measurements available as a service to our customers.

Watch the video to see how radar measurements can turn reflected signals into a clearer picture of an object.