Use of a Vector Network Analyzer for Measuring the Performance of Radar AbsorbingMaterials

摘要

Testing the performance of Radar Absorbing Materials (RAM) is often a difficulttask and in most cases the manufacturer's specifications are the only source of performance data. This paper presents a method of measuring the normal reflection coefficient of planar RAM using a Hewlett-Packard 8510A Vector Network Analyzer and a small horn antenna. The Vector Network Analyzer is used to cancel the reflections from discontinuities in the signal path from the source to the RAM sample leaving only the reflections from the RAM sample. Using this approach, information can be gathered over a wide bandwidth very quickly and comparisons between RAM samples done easily.