Radar Cross Section Reduction Methods for Microstrip Antennas

The stealth technology is one of the most important strategies for protecting fighters and warships in the enemy's territory. Reducing the radar cross-section (RCS) of the antennas used in the radar of these fighters and ships is one of the stealth technology techniques. In this research, the methods of the radar cross section reduction for the microstrip antennas and their effects on performance of the antennas are presented. First, the radar cross section definition and the related governing relationships are presented and the importance of RCS reduction is discussed. Then, six main methods of radar cross-section reduction for microstrip antennas are introduced. These methods are: antenna shaping, electronic band gap (EBG), complementary split ring resonators (CSRRs), ground plane with frequency selective surface (FSS), metamaterial absorbers (MMA), and microstrip resonators. In each section, the radar cross section (RCS) of the reference and modified antennas are compared and the advantages and disadvantages of the relevant method is outlined.