Transmitarray-Based CATR for Streamline UAV RCS Measurement

Low-altitude unmanned communication platforms play a vital role in integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems. Due to the large number of deployed devices and their high level of functional integration, there are high demands for rapid and effective over-the-air testing. However, conventional measurement systems are limited by structural complexity and size, making them unsuitable for compact, efficient, and mass-production testing. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a rapid radar cross section (RCS) measurement method for streamline measurement of batch low-altitude communication equipment, based on a transmitarray compact antenna test range (TA-CATR). The proposed method performs RCS measurements over elevation and azimuth angles by combining background subtraction, extrapolation, and interpolation techniques, achieving measurable ranges of −45° to 45° and 0° to 360°, respectively. This approach offers a compact, cost-effective, and highly efficient solution for large-scale production testing. Experimental results validate the accuracy and practicality of the proposed TA-CATR-based RCS measurement method.