A radome is a structure or enclosure designed for antenna and associated electronics protection from any environment that could cause damage, including rain, snow, strong winds, etc. A radome contains a protective shell that boosts an antenna systems’ pointing accuracy. The cover offsets adverse effects of UV degradation, wind load, and snow and ice build-up. The structures attempt to prolong the ability of this system to work under hostile conditions and create a safe working environment.
Types Of Radomes
Radomes exist in different categories according to design, capabilities, and wall architecture.
Type 1: these are radomes suitable for low-frequency use at 2GHz or below
Type 2: a kind of radome fit for directional guidance and has directional accuracy and requirements.
Type 3: the type 3 radomes are appropriate for the narrowband application and have less than 10% operational bandwidth.
Type 4: these radomes support multiple frequency bands functioning at two or above narrow frequency bands.
Type 5: they are broadband radomes providing an operational bandwidth falling between a range of 0.100GHz to 0.667GHz.
Type 6: these radomes are very broadband and provide a functioning bandwidth of more than 0.667GHz
According to the wall architecture, the following types are useful in grouping radomes.
- Solid wall
- Thin wall monolithic
- Sandwich multi-layered wall
- Multi-layered wall
Features Of Radomes
The classification of radome features includes electrical properties and mechanical properties. Electrical features
The electrical-performance features are quantified based on:
- Transmission loss
- Beam deflection
- Pattern distortion
- Deflected power
- Mechanical features
Environmental factors such as wind, hail, snow, ice, among others, determine the mechanical design requirement of a radome. Some of the essential mechanical requirements that radome manufacturers adhere to when designing radomes include:
- Strength or sustaining the handling loads
- Stiffness for providing stability
- Temperature resistance for tolerating extreme conditions
- Moisture absorption resistance for keeping the material property constant
- Resistance to abrasion and erosion to decrease the effects of environmental conditions such as hailstorms.