ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the broadband characterization of objects. The broadband characterization can be done either in the time domain or in the frequency domain. The impulse response represents a “finger print” and can be used to characterize the system. In this approach a broadband pulse is transmitted and the impulse response of the object is measured. A deconvolution is performed to extract the object response from the measured waveform, which includes the system response plus the object response. The waveshape that is transmitted from an antenna varies in different directions. Broadband characterization can also be performed in the frequency domain. The measurements are generally done by sweeping a narrow band of frequencies across the entire spectrum of interest. The data can be analyzed in either nonparametric or in parametric form. There are advantages and disadvantages associated with both procedures.
