When simulating target seekers, there is a great need for computationally efficient, target models. This report considers a study of radar target modelling based on Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) measurements of generic aircraft. The results underlie future modelling of full-size air targets. A method is developed for two-dimensional modelling of aspect-dependent target scattering. The approach taken is to generate point-scatterer models of two targets, where each point scatterer is defined according to its position and radar cross section (RCS), estimated from ISAR images. The scattered energy contributions from all point scatterers are summed to simulate a radar return signal. To validate the models, the modelled radar target centre is compared to the true radar target centre, which is determined from ISAR images. The method is presented to be promising for modelling air targets with large, persistent radar cross section.

The study of the electromagnetic phenomena along the last two centuries has brought about outstanding contributions for the human progress. The electromagnetism represents still now, at the beginning of the third millenium, a very important research area. The radiation pattern of particular types of antennas -for example, fractal or microstrip-, the analysis of the effect of the cellular communications on human beings or the detection of buried mines represent specific examples of the wide variety of problems of great interest nowadays. The study of such a variety of problems relies on the application of the Maxwell equations, which rule all the electromagnetic behaviour. Since the analytical solution can only be obtained for very particular cases of canonical forms, to tackle the analysis of an arbitrary problem, one makes use of the numerical methods. The discretization of electromagnetic integral equations by the Method of Moments -MoM- excels as a powerful and reliable tool for analysing bodies composed of locally homogeneous regions -penetrable or perfectly conducting- immerse in a wide and nearly uniform medium -typically the ground or the free-space-. These integral methods result from the surface equivalence theorem, which allows in general two different formulations, the Electric Field Integral Equation (EFIE) and the Magnetic Field Integral Equation (MFIE). For the case of penetrable bodies, the Poggio, Miller, Chang, Harrington and Wu (PMCHW) formulation, that results from the subtraction of the EFIE and MFIE at both sides of the surfaces, can also be employed.The Method of Moments is based on the full expansion of the physical magnitudes, field and current, over the interface surfaces between the regions. In consequence, the solution of the problem is obtained through the inversion of a full-matrix, which, for electrically large problems, requires excessive memory resources and computation time. That is why the MoM is widely considered a brute-force method. The expansion of the magnitudes is carried out through the discretization of the surface; that is, patches spreading over the interface. The first half of this dissertation Thesis tackles the development of the MoM applied to problems with bodies with symmetry of revolution -BoR-. Since in this case the physical magnitudes present an azimuthal periodicity, they can be expressed as a Fourier series. The orthogonality between the different modes enables to obtain separately each azimuthal mode of the solution. It is thus only required to spread the patches along the generating arc of the bodies for each mode, which is very advantageous because the electromagnetic analysis can be carried out indeed for dimensionally large problems. A well-known PeC-EFIE BoR formulation is developed. Accordingly, PeC-MFIE and PMCHW formulations are developed from scratch. Furthermore, it is commented in detail and corrected to some extent the numerical error associated to the fastest-varying part of the PeC-MFIE BoR operator. The BoR-codes are particularly useful in modelling the electromagnetic behaviour of buried mines, which very often show revolution symmetry. The most outstanding contribution of this dissertation Thesis is the study of the appropriate conditions to develop correctly the 3D operators so as to yield accurate results for any structure. Since the discretization implies a break on the continuity properties of the physical magnitudes -field and current- the valid 3D-operators must ensure the physical electromagnetic requirements in the discretized surface. In mathematical terms, these requirements set the rank -field- and domain- -current- spaces, which essentially require the enforcement of the continuity across the edges of either the tangential or the normal component of the expanded magnitudes.For the case of an arbitrary perfectly conducting -PeC- body, it is recommended in this work the use of the divergence-conforming and of the curl-conforming functions respectively in the development of the PeC-EFIE and the PeC-MFIE operators. Low-order sets over triangular facets -RWG and unxRWG- are chosen to develop the PeC-operators. Furthermore, it is reasoned theoretically the inherent misbehaviour of the PeC-MFIE in case the current expansion relies on a divergence-conforming set. A heuristic correction is provided. The better behaviour of PeC-EFIE(RWG) and PeC-MFIE(unxRWG) is confirmed with examples. In view of the results, it is reasoned the suitability of PeC-EFIE(RWG) for the analysis of physical polyhedrons, which makes PeC-MFIE(unxRWG) excel as a more appropriate operator for curved bodies. A procedure for improving the performance of PeC-EFIE(RWG) for coarsely meshed spheres is given.For the case of arbitrary penetrable bodies, the same low-order sets are used to expand the operators EFIE, MFIE and PMCHW. It is shown their compatibility with the combination of the right PeC-operators. In the dielectric case, in addition to the required continuity of the magnitudes across the edges at each region, the fields at both sides of the surface must satisfy the interface continuity, which is ignored in the conducting case -the fields are null inside the conductor-. The impossibility of meeting both continuity requirements at the same time justifies the apparition of inherent and different errors in the dual EFIE-MFIE and in PMCHW. It is thoroughly reasoned and confirmed with examples the suitability of PMCHW for problems with only penetrable regions. It is also shown and discussed in detail the robustness of EFIE-MFIE since its behaviour is appropriate for electrically not too small structures with perfectly conducting or penetrable regions. The analysis of composite structures -very useful to model microstrip antennas- can be considered as a group of disjoint bodies with null distances of separation. For this type of problems, it is recommended in this work the use of EFIE-MFIE since, unlike PMCHW, they can ensure the continuous transition to zero of a distance of separation increasingly small. Finally, efficient methods -IE-MEI and MLFMM- relying on the previous 3D-operators. The development of the PeC 3D IE-MEI cannot maintain the advantages present in the 2D case since the harmonic metrons are not valid in the 3D general case. A new set of metrons that ensures little discontinuity of the current across the edges is presented. It is confirmed with examples how these metrons, so-called quasi-continuous, reduce the number of required coefficients per row for a certain current error. Some examples of penetrable spheres with moderate electrical dimensions analysed under a MLFMM implementation are shown and commented.

By analyzing ISAR images, the characteristics of military platforms with respect to radar visibility can be evaluated. The method, which is based on the Discrete-Time Fourier Transform (DTFT), that is currently used to calculate the ISAR images requires large computations efforts. This thesis investigates the possibility to replace the DTFT with the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Such a replacement is not trivial since the DTFT is able to compute a contribution anywhere along the spatial axis while the FFT delivers output data at fixed sampling, which requires subsequent interpolation. The interpolation leads to a difference in the ISAR image compared to the ISAR image obtained by DTFT. On the other hand, the FFT is much faster. In this quality-and-time trade-off, the objective is to minimize the error while keeping high computational efficiency. The FFT-approach is evaluated by studying execution time and image error when generating ISAR images for an aircraft model in a controlled environment. The FFT method shows good results. The execution speed is increased significantly without any visible differences in the ISAR images. The speed-up- factor depends on different parameters: image size, degree of zero-padding when calculating the FFT and the number of frequencies in the input data.

In this study, a MATLAB&reg / code based on the Shooting and Bouncing Ray (SBR) algorithm is developed to compute the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of complex targets. SBR is based on ray tracing and combine Geometric Optics (GO) and Physical Optics (PO) approaches to compute the RCS of arbitrary scatterers. The presented algorithm is examined in two parts / the first part addresses a new aperture selection strategy named as &ldquo / conformal aperture&rdquo / , which is proposed and formulated to increase the performance of the code outside the specular regions, and the second part is devoted to testing the multiple scattering and shadowing performance of the code. The conformal aperture approach consists of a configuration that gathers all rays bouncing back from the target, and calculates their contribution to RCS. Multiple scattering capability of the algorithm is verified and tested over simple shapes. Ray tracing part of the code is also used as v a shadowing algorithm. In the first instance, simple shapes like sphere, plate, cylinder and polyhedron are used to model simple targets. With primitive shapes, complex targets can be modeled up to some degree. Later, patch representation is used to model complex targets accurately. In order to test the whole code over complex targets, a Computer Aided Design (CAD) format known as Stereo Lithography (STL) mesh is used. Targets that are composed in CAD tools are imported in STL mesh format and handled in the code. Different sweep geometries are defined to compute the RCS of targets with respect to aspect angles. Complex targets are selected according to their RCS characteristics to test the code further. In addition to these, results are compared with PO, Method of Moments (MoM) and Multilevel Fast Multipole Method (MLFMM) results obtained from the FEKO software. These comparisons enabled us to improve the code as possible as it is.

A quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) retrodirective array phase modulator (RAPM) was designed and fabricated to characterize its backscatter signal constellation when placed near objects with varying conductivities and relative permittivities. The signal constellations produced when the RAPM was placed near objects were compared to a constellation in free space to determine relative magnitude and phase changes. When conductors and high permittivity dielectrics were placed close behind the RAPM, constellation points were found to shrink in magnitude by up to twenty percent and shift in phase by up to eight degrees. When conductors were placed between the RAPM and an interrogator, the signal constellation was found to collapse, shrinking by up to 95.6 percent. For materials similar to free space, minimal constellation shrinkage resulted, but signal constellation rotation by up to 68 degrees occurred. The power consumption of a RAPM was also characterized and found to decrease as the number of bits per symbol increased. This result demonstrates that in comparison to conventional backscatter tags, which implement one bit per symbol, the RAPM can implement a greater number of bits per symbol, reduce its power consumption, and increase its range in a passive backscatter communication system. To characterize the beamwidth of the RAPM's retrodirective array, a radar cross section (RCS) measurement of the RAPM was performed over a scan angle range of -90 to +90 degrees. The structural component generated by the RAPM's patch antenna ground plane was found to dominate the antenna mode of the retrodirective array. As a result, a novel homodyne receiver based RCS measurement was performed to filter out the structural RCS component and measure the pure antenna mode of the RAPM.

<p>When simulating target seekers, there is a great need for computationally efficient, target models. This report considers a study of radar target modelling based on Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) measurements of generic aircraft. The results underlie future modelling of full-size air targets. </p><p>A method is developed for two-dimensional modelling of aspect-dependent target scattering. The approach taken is to generate point-scatterer models of two targets, where each point scatterer is defined according to its position and radar cross section (RCS), estimated from ISAR images. The scattered energy contributions from all point scatterers are summed to simulate a radar return signal. To validate the models, the modelled radar target centre is compared to the true radar target centre, which is determined from ISAR images. </p><p>The method is presented to be promising for modelling air targets with large, persistent radar cross section.</p>

The objective of this research program is to further evaluate the performance and constructability of reinforced concrete (RC) column-steel beam-slab systems (RCS) for use in low- to mid-rise space frame buildings located in regions of high wind loads and/or moderate seismicity. To better understand these systems, two full scale RCS cruciform specimens were tested under bidirectional quasi-static reversed cyclic loading. The experimental portion of this research program included the construction and testing of two full-scale cruciform specimens with identical overall dimensions but with different joint detailing. The two joint details evaluated were joint cover plates and face bearing plates with localized transverse ties. The construction process was recorded in detail and related to actual field construction practices. The specimens were tested experimentally in quasi-static reversed cyclic loading in both orthogonal loading directions while a constant axial force was applied to the column, to simulate the wind loads in a subassembly of a prototype building. To compliment the experimental work, nonlinear analyses were performed to evaluate the specimen strength and hysteretic degradation parameters for RCS systems. In addition, current recommendations in the literature on the design of RCS joints were used to estimate specimen joint strength and were compared with the experimental findings.

Les retours et les études dont on dispose sur les réseaux IP par satellite ne permettent pas d'apprécier les performances dont ils sont capables. Pourtant, les difficultés de transmettre de l'IP par satellite persistent encore. L'inadaptation du protocole IP, initialement conçu pour des réseaux terrestres, au large produit délai-bande du média satellite est une raison. Le fonctionnement souvent dé-corrélé entre les niveaux supérieurs de la pile TCP/IP et les couches physique et MAC du média satellite, est une autre. Dans le cadre de ce travail de thèse nous adoptons une démarche expérimentale basée sur l'observation, l'analyse et l'évaluation de systèmes implantant des technologies IP par satellite tels que le standard DVB-RCS, la technologie propriétaire iDirect ou la nouvelle norme DVB-S2. Nous étudions l'impact des règles de qualité de service IP sur les performances des applications dans un contexte de bande limitée. Nous nous penchons notamment sur l'évaluation des efficacités de l'encapsulation IP en termes de consommation de bande. Notre premier objectif est de déceler les niveaux auxquels un opérateur peut agir en vue d'optimiser la configuration d'un système IP par satellite et en accroître les performances

L'évaluation précise de la surface équivalente radar (SER) large bande de cibles complexes et de grande dimension est réalisée par des méthodes numériques rigoureuses. Parmi celles-ci, la méthode des différences finies dans le domaine temporel (FDTD) est bien adaptée pour effectuer ce calcul de SER sur une large bande de fréquence et obtenir une signature temporelle de la cible. Le schéma de Yee, schéma FDTD historique pour la simulation de propagation d'ondes électromagnétiques en régime transitoire, souffre de deux points faibles cruciaux: la dispersion numérique imposant une finesse de maillage; et l'approximation de la géométrie curviligne par un maillage cartésien avec des marches d'escalier détériorant la qualité des résultats. Les schémas FDTD d'ordre supérieur en espace ont été investigués pour la réduction de l'effet de la dispersion numérique. Dans cette thèse, le schéma Conservative Modified FDTD(2,4) a été développé dont les performances, en précision et en ressources, sont très intéressantes pour le calcul de SER. Liés au problème de l'approximation de la géométrie curviligne, le traitement des bords de plaques métalliques reste une difficulté non résolue pour les schémas FDTD(2,4) à stencil élargi. Les techniques conformes sont des approches développées pour le schéma de Yee, lesquelles ont été étudiées pour les schémas FDTD(2,4) afin de prendre en compte correctement la géométrie curviligne. Nous proposons une nouvelle approche reposant sur le modèle des fils obliques pour la modélisation des éléments surfaciques métalliques. Des applications SER de cibles montrent que celle-ci est prometteuse. / Rigorous numerical methods are used to compute an accurate wideband radar cross section (RCS) evaluation of large complex targets. Among these, finite differences in time domain method is appropriated for the wideband characteristic and also to obtain a transient responses of the target. The Yee scheme, known historically as an FDTD scheme for Maxwell equations, is hindered by two crucial weak points: numerical dispersion which imposes a high mesh resolution; and staircase approximation of curve geometry which deteriorates results quality. High-order space differential operator for FDTD schemes have been investigated to limit numerical dispersion errors. In this thesis, the Conservative Modified FDTD(2,4) scheme has been developed and its performance has shown very accurate results with reasonable workload for RCS computation. Relating to curve geometry modeling problem, metallic edges modeling is still an unsolved problem for FDTD(2,4) schemes with enlarged stencil. Conformal techniques have been developed for the Yee scheme and has been studied for FDTD(2,4) to accurately model curve geometry. We propose a new approach based on oblique thin wire model to model metallic surfaces. RCS computations of several targets have shown that this method is promising.

Background: Temporary mechanical circulatory support device without sternotomy has been highly advocated for severe cardiogenic shock patient but little is known when coupled with amniotic stem cell therapy. Case presentation: This case reports the first dual therapy of temporary left ventricular extracorporeal device CentriMag with distal banding technique and human amniotic stem cell injection for treating a severe refractory cardiogenic shock of an 68-year-old female patient. A minimally-invasive off-pump LVAD was established by draining from the left ventricle and returning to the right axillary artery with distal arterial banding to prevent right upper extremity hyperperfusion. Amniotic stem cells were injected intramyocardially at the left ventricular apex, lateral wall, inferior wall, and right subclavian vein. Conclusion: The concomitant use of the temporary minimally-invasive off-pump CentriMag placement and stem cell therapy not only provided an alternative to cardiopulmonary bypass and full-median sternotomy procedures but may have also synergistically enhanced myocardial reperfusion and regeneration.