Systems and methods for near field target simulation

Abstract

A simulation device and a system and method for using the simulation device are disclosed. The simulation device may contain a plurality of antenna elements positionable on or near a radar or other sensing device. The simulation device may be configured to control the plurality of antenna elements to transmit signals that simulate a reflection of an electromagnetic signal off of one or more targets of particular sizes at particular azimuths, elevations, distances, trajectories, and/or velocities.

1 . A computer-implemented method for simulating target objects, the method comprising:
 receiving parameters reflecting characteristics of one more target objects to be simulated;   receiving a first beam of electromagnetic radiation;   calculating, by a processor, characteristics of a beam of electromagnetic radiation expected to reflect off of the one or more target objects having the parameters; and   transmitting a second beam of electromagnetic radiation having the calculated characteristics.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the parameters correspond to at least one of an azimuth, elevation, distance, trajectory, or velocity of the one or more target objects. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second beam is generated by transmitting signals from a plurality of dipole antennas in an array of dipole antennas. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the second beam is generated by adjusting at least one of phase, doppler, and amplitude characteristics of the signal transmitted from at least one of the plurality of dipole antennas, 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first beam is received from a radar or sensor device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second beam is generated by transmitting signals from a plurality of dipole antennas embedded in a radome. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the second beam is generated by transmitting signals from a plurality of dipole antennas embedded in a plurality of slats that are positioned orthogonal to the electric field of the radar or sensor device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of slats are rotatably coupled to the radar or sensor device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the processor further calculates a delay based on the one or more target objects to be simulated, and wherein transmission of the second beam of electromagnetic radiation delayed based on the calculated delay. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the second beam of radiation is generated by varying at least one of phase, doppler, and amplitude characteristics across the plurality of dipole antennas. 
     
     
         11 . A system for simulating target objects, the system comprising:
 an array of dipole antenna elements configured to receive a first beam of electromagnetic radiation and transmit a second beam of electromagnetic radiation; and   a processor configured to:
 receive parameters reflecting characteristics of one or more target objects to be simulated; 
 calculate characteristics of a beam of electromagnetic radiation expected to reflect off of the one or more target objects having the parameters; and 
 cause the array to transmit a second beam of electromagnetic radiation having the calculated characteristics. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the parameters correspond to at least one of an azimuth, elevation, distance, trajectory, or velocity of the one or more target objects. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the second beam is generated by transmitting signals from the dipole antenna elements in the array. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second beam is further generated by adjusting at least one of phase, doppler, or amplitude characteristics of the signal transmitted from at least one of the dipole antenna elements in the array. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first beam is received from a radar or sensor device. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the array of dipole antenna elements are embedded in a radome. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the array of dipole antenna elements are embedded in a plurality of slats that are positioned orthogonal to an electric field of the radar or sensor device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of slats are rotatably coupled to the radar or sensor device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processor further calculates a delay based on the one or more target objects, and wherein the processor causes the array to delay transmission of the second beam of electromagnetic radiation based on the calculated delay. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the processor causes at least one of phase, doppler, and amplitude characteristics to be varied across the plurality of dipole antennas in the array.