Our researchers have created some promising cutting-edge techniques that improve and speed up RCS simulations. Their focus has been on the development of a huge 40-meter civilian medium transport aircraft. These improvements allow for simulations with a frequency band of 0.5-1.0 GHz. They release widely-used, high-performance, high-fidelity electromagnetic analysis that can be run on everyday desktop hardware. By employing approximative methods, the team has achieved accuracy levels comparable to traditional full-wave solutions while significantly reducing computation time.
The effort was started by the recognition that the aerospace industry requires more advanced and efficient simulation techniques. It had been a clear and simple response to this growing need. The size of the civilian transport aircraft poses unique challenges for radar analysis, necessitating innovative solutions that can deliver quick results without compromising precision.
Innovations in Simulation Techniques
Where the recently-developed approximative methods are unique is in their application of ideas to simplify and speed up the simulation process. Researchers found that these techniques produce outcomes that are remarkably accurate. In fact, they can be as accurate as the outputs produced by much more complex full-wave computational methods. This technological advancement significantly increases the capability for engineers and scientists to perform simulations at a higher frequency and confident with the results.
These approximate methods are more computationally efficient—not in time necessarily, but in the ability to make use of computational resources. As such, they allow for even the smallest of firms and institutions with modest budgets to be able to participate in advanced electromagnetic analysis. The new capability to run highly complex yet deterministic simulations on regular desktop machines is another big game changer.
Practical Applications of RCS Simulations
The implications of this research go far beyond intellectual curiosity. These new simulation capabilities can help advance industries critical to our national and economic security, such as defense, aviation, and telecommunications. Learning how radar systems are able to detect these large, noisy aircraft is important for military applications. In addition, it is crucial to improving the safety of non-military aviation.
The increased speed of the team’s work outcome can contribute to more rapid iterations happening in the design and testing phases. Now, engineers can test the impact of different designs on radar visibility. Such a capability would promise game changing advances in stealth technology and next generation aircraft designs.
Future Directions in Radar Analysis
Researchers aren’t content to develop these crude approximative methods though. They hope to broaden their applications beyond the passengers in an airplane to other aircraft and en route structures. With further development, computation times can be greatly accelerated. It can increase precision, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in electromagnetic analysis.
Partnerships between our nation’s academic institutions and other key stakeholders in industry will be a critical element in this effort. The community as a whole can accelerate innovation in RCS simulations by combining resources and excluding expertise. All of this will ultimately help improve safety and performance standards in aviation.
