Instrument for Measuring Millimeter-Wave Polarimetric Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function

This proposal describes work to enable new capabilities for a unique millimeter-wave (mmW) test instrument already being prepared for AMRDEC.The instrument's deployment to Department of Defense (DOD) test facilities and to civilian research facilities broadens understanding of how ordinary objects interact with mmW radiation, and will in turn enable radar and communication system development in these bands. The enhanced capabilities include features to tighten accuracy and repeatability of the instrument when making measurements over long periods of time. Software enhancements will help users extract useful knowledge from the very large datasets the instrument generates as it operates autonomously for multiple days or even weeks. Additional research to be carried out during Phase II will verify performance with measurements of standard targets at mmW frequencies. Measurements performed on more irregular targets will be compared with calculations generated by advanced software packages under development for AMRDEC.