A radome is a cover for an antenna to protect it from various weather conditions, such as rain, hail or UV radiation. In spite of this protection, there should be no degradation of the electromagnetic (EM) performance emitted by the antenna. Therefore, the correct choice of radome stack-up and the selection of the right material for the frequency range of the antenna is important to achieve optimum performance and minimise the influence of the radome on the overall system performance. In addition to RF transparency, choosing the right stack-up will ensure that the radome withstands environmental conditions like for example hail.
What information is important for radome designing?
With a radome, you want to keep the loss of the transmitted waves (RF) from the antenna as low as possible, because the waves can be either reflected or absorbed by the radome if the stack-up or the used materials aren´t correctly adjusted. To minimize reflections, which affect the radiation pattern and insertion loss of the antenna system, materials with low dielectric constants (Dk) are used. However, not only the material is important but also how the materials are combined. To provide a clear recommendation on the most suitable stack-up and manufacturing process, the customer must communicate their requirements for the radome. Below are two lists which show the most important requirements that need to be considered in designing a radome:
List of electromagnetic requirements include:
- Operating frequency
- Thickness
- Transmission loss
- Polarisation
Typical environmental conditions that are important are:
- Temperture range
- Relative humidity
- Wind load
- Rain
- Environmental impacts (hail, birds, stones, etc.)
- Hazards
- UV stability
- Flammability
In conclusion, radomes are essential in antenna systems as they provide a protective barrier while maintaining the electromagnetic performance of the antenna. Based on a combination of requirements, simulations, and material know-how, we design and manufacture high performance radomes for our customers. We use validated processes to ensure high quality sandwich radomes which can be used in several antenna applications.