{{Note|Keep in mind that since Physical Optics is an asymptotic method, the field sensors must be placed at adequate distances (at least one or few wavelengths) away from the scatterers to produce acceptable results.}}
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[[Image:Info_icon.png|40px]] Click here to learn more about '''[[Data_Visualization_and_Processing#The_Field_Sensor_Observable | Defining a Field Sensor Observable]]'''.
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[[Image:Info_icon.png|40px]] Click here to learn more about '''[[Data_Visualization_and_Processing#Visualizing_3D_Near-Field_Maps | Visualizing 3D Near Field Maps]]'''.
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You need to define a far field observable if you want to plot the radiation patterns of your physical structure. After a PO simulation is finished, three 3D radiation patterns plots are displayed in the project workspace and are overlaid on your physical structure. These are the Theta and Phi components of the far-zone electric fields as well as the total far field.
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[[Image:Info_icon.png|40px]] Click here to learn more about '''[[Data_Visualization_and_Processing#Far-Field_Observables | Far Field Observables]]'''.
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[[Image:Info_icon.png|40px]] Click here to learn more about '''[[Data_Visualization_and_Processing#Visualizing_3D_Radiation_Patterns | Visualizing 3D Radiation Patterns]]'''.
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[[Image:Info_icon.png|40px]] Click here to learn more about '''[[Data_Visualization_and_Processing#2D_Radiation_and_RCS_Graphs | Plotting 2D Radiation Graphs]]'''.
{{Note| The 3D radiation pattern is always displayed at the origin of the spherical coordinate system, (0,0,0), with respect to which the far radiation zone is defined. Oftentimes, this might not be the radiation center of your physical structure.}}
To calculate RCS, first you have to define an RCS observable instead of a radiation pattern. At the end of a PO simulation, the thee RCS plots σ<sub>θ</sub>, σ<sub>φ</sub>, and σ<sub>tot</sub> are added under the far field section of the navigation tree. Keep in mind that computing the 3D mono-static RCS may take an enormous amount of computation time.
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[[Image:Info_icon.png|40px]] Click here to learn more about '''[[Data_Visualization_and_Processing#Computing_Radar_Cross_Section | Computing Radar Cross Section]]'''.
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[[Image:Info_icon.png|40px]] Click here to learn more about '''[[Data_Visualization_and_Processing#2D_Radiation_and_RCS_Graphs | Plotting 2D RCS Graphs]]'''.
{{Note| The 3D RCS plot is always displayed at the origin of the spherical coordinate system, (0,0,0), with respect to which the far radiation zone is defined. Oftentimes, this might not be the scattering center of your physical structure.}}