If (initially), it is assumed that the edge lengths of the corner reflector is substantially larger than the wavelength,

possible resonances at certain frequencies.the angle of incidence of the radar, and.the frequency-independent calculated viewable area,.In the calculation of corner reflectors three aspects must be considered. Therefore, a corner reflector has got an RCS, which is very much larger than its geometrical dimensions. Only in exactly one direction: back to the radar. The corner reflector concentrates the energy that is scattered at a sphere in almost all directions, Such a sphere will, as it is independent of the direction, generating a return signal even at a That this little corner reflector reflects the same energy, as 12 spheres per one square meter! Here one must know that this number of example given 12 m 2 actually only says It follows that a small handy corner reflector with only a few centimeters of geometric spread can have an effective Which reflect the incoming energy in the direction of the radar exactly.Īll other subareas distribute the incoming energy evenly throughout the room. These circular area has a diameter of about 1.33 m.įrom this reference reflector, only a very small area is effective.Īs a reflector acts a small area (few centimeters only) in the middle of the sphere, (read: its shadow on this plane) has an area of one square meter. Graphical projection onto a plane perpendicular to the direction of the incoming rays Here an ideal spherical conductor is assumed as the reference reflector whose The specification of an area based on a comparison with an Calculation of corner reflectorsįigure 4: Dependence of the effective surface visible from the angle of incidence of the radar It will take place three reflections then before the beam is reflected back in the original direction. It is then called trihedral corner reflector. If should be backscattered in three-dimensionally distributed directions, then the corner reflector must be made of three reflecting areas. If should be backscattered in a three-dimensional directions, the corner reflector must be constructed of three reflecting surfaces. If too much wind load would disturb, then spherical or cylindrical disguised versions are used. To reduce losses caused by the earth’s curvature the corner-reflectors are mounted as high as possible at the top of a mast at small boats. This will increase the echo signals again. It can also be constructed in resonance with the radar wavelength. The larger a corner reflector is, the more energy is reflected. The single areas of the corner reflector should be large compared to the radar wavelength. Thus, even small objects with small RCS yield a sufficiently strong echo. Incoming electromagnetic waves are backscattered by multiple reflection accurately in that direction from which they come. Figure 2: Reflection on two surfaces standing perpendicular to each otherĪ particularly strong radar echo from objects that would otherwise have only very low effectiveĪ corner reflector consisting of two or three electrically conductive surfaces which are mounted crosswise (at an angle of exactly 90 degrees).

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