Radar cross section (RCS) simulation for wind turbines

• Main Author: Ton, Cuong
• Other Authors: Jenn, David C.
• Published: Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School 2013
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/34754

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited === Wind-turbine power provides energy-independence and greenhouse-gas reduction benefits, but if wind turbines are built near military and commercial radar and communication installations, they can cause degradation in the systems performance. The purpose of this research is to study the radar cross section (RCS) of a wind turbine and assess its effect on the performance of radar and communication systems. In this research, some basic scattering characteristics of wind turbines are discussed. Several computational methods of RCS prediction are examined, citing their advantages and disadvantages. Modeling and computational issues that affect the accuracy and convergence of the simulation results are discussed. RCS simulation results for two wind turbine configurations are presented: a horizontal axis, three-blade design and a vertical axis helical design. Several methods of mitigating wind turbine clutter are discussed. Issues of RCS reduction and control for wind turbines are also addressed.