On Experimental Analysis of Mono-Static 3D UAV RCS for ISAC Channel Modeling

Realistic modeling of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) radar cross section (RCS) is vital for integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems to ensure accurate sensing predictions and performance evaluation. Despite advancements in the UAV RCS research, the available experimental data remains insufficient and a realistic model has not yet been established, especially for 3D scenarios. This study presents an experimental analysis and modeling of UAV RCS. First, we conduct mono-static UAV RCS measurements in an anechoic chamber, recording RCS covering frequency band of 1.8 ~18.2 GHz and azimuth angles of −90° ~90° (given the symmetry of the UAV) at three UAV elevation sides {90°, 0°, 180°}. Subsequently, the measured RCS data is fitted using three well-known distributions, Rician, Gamma, and LogNormal. Our analysis reveals the superiority of the Rician distribution in modeling UAV RCS, according to the performance evaluation of the fittings. Detailed distribution parameters are provided for UAV RCS realization. Furthermore, a statistical assessment of the UAV RCS based on the modeling result is conducted, offering insights for predicting and evaluating the UAV sensing. These findings contribute to advancing ISAC channel research and practical applications.