Radome and method for designing the same

Abstract

According to a first aspect, a method for designing a radome includes: N and each flight path FP N The observation angle distribution (Lα-Dist) is determined for the set number N of flight paths FP N calculating a combined observation angle distribution (Combo-Lα-Dist) for Combo-Lα-Dist, determining a combined incidence angle distribution (Combo-Iα-Dist) corresponding to Combo-Lα-Dist, and adjusting at least one radome shell structural component of the radome to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for designing a radome structure and a corresponding radome structure, and more particularly, to a method for designing a radome structure tailored to a specific flight path or multiple specific flight paths and a corresponding radome structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, radar and / or communication antennas are covered with radomes to protect the antenna from adverse weather conditions and ensure continuous and accurate operation of the antenna. Radomes may be in the form of thin-walled radomes, solid-walled radomes, and sandwich radomes. Thin-walled radomes typically have a thickness of less than 2 mm and may be supported using increased air pressure or using a support frame. Solid-walled radomes are typically made from heavier solid laminates, while sandwich radomes include a low dielectric constant core material sandwiched between thin inner and outer laminate layers. The core material is typically a plastic foam structure or a honeycomb structure. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Regardless of the material used to form the radome, the walls generally degrade the signal strength of the electromagnetic waves transmitted through the radome from the antenna. The structure of the radome is often designed to minimize such degradation, but they are only optimized to operate with electromagnetic waves traveling through the radome at a particular range of incidence angles. However, as some radome shapes vary depending on desired mechanical and aerodynamic properties, the incidence angle of the electromagnetic waves traveling through the radome also varies depending on the location on the shell through which the waves travel. Also, when mounted on an aircraft, the incidence angle of the electromagnetic waves traveling through the radome varies depending on the flight path of the aircraft relative to the signal origin or destination point (i.e., the satellite). Thus, a radome with an improved design is desired that further minimizes the electromagnetic degradation caused by the radome for electromagnetic waves based on a particular airplane flight path or flight paths.

[0004] According to a first aspect, a method for designing a radome includes: N and each flight path FP N The purpose of the experiment is to determine the Looking Angle Distribution (Lα-Dist) for the flight path FP N calculating a combination looking angle distribution (Combo-Lα-Dist) for Combo-Lα-Dist, determining a combination incidence angle distribution (Combo-Iα-Dist) corresponding to Combo-Lα-Dist, and adjusting at least one radome shell structural component of the radome to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist.

[0005] According to another aspect, the radome may include at least one radome shell structural component tuned to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within a combined incidence angle distribution (Combo-Iα-Dist). The Combo-Iα-Dist corresponds to a combined observation angle distribution (Combo-Lα-Dist). The Combo-Lα-Dist is a set number N of flight paths FP, each between a first city and a second city. N Define each flight path FP N Determine the observation angle distribution (Lα-Dist) for the set number N of flight paths FP N It is determined by calculating the combined observation angle distribution (Combo-Lα-Dist) for [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 includes a diagram illustrating a radome design method 100 according to an embodiment described herein.

[0007] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The following discussion focuses on specific implementations and embodiments of the teachings. The detailed description is provided to help explain the specific embodiments and should not be construed as a limitation on the scope or applicability of the disclosure or teachings. It will be understood that other embodiments can be used based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein.

[0009] The terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of features is not necessarily limited to only those features, but may include other features not expressly listed or that are inherent to such method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or, not an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or absent), A is false (or absent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0010] Additionally, the use of "a" or "an" is used to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be understood as one, at least one, or the singular as including the plural, or vice versa, unless it is clear that this is meant to be otherwise. For example, where a single item is described herein, two or more items can be used in place of the single item. Similarly, where two or more items are described herein, the two or more items can be replaced with a single item.

[0011] Embodiments described herein are generally directed to methods of designing a radome that include tailoring at least one radome shell structural component of the radome to minimize electromagnetic degradation for electromagnetic waves that intersect the radome at an angle corresponding to a particular flight path or set of particular flight paths. Further embodiments described herein are also generally directed to a radome having a shell structure designed to minimize electromagnetic degradation caused by the shell for electromagnetic waves that intersect the radome at an angle corresponding to a particular flight path or set of particular flight paths.

[0012] For purposes of illustration, Figure 1 includes a schematic diagram showing a radome design method 100 according to an embodiment described herein. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, a radome designed according to the radome design method 100 may include a shell that defines the outer structure of the radome and surrounds an antenna seating location within the radome. According to certain embodiments, the shell of the radome may include a dielectric stack. It will be understood that the dielectric stack may vary from a simple dielectric stack including a single dielectric layer to a complex dielectric stack including multiple dielectric layers in various configurations.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the radome design method 100 includes designing a set number N of flight paths FP , each of which is between a first city and a second city. N and a first step 110 of defining each flight path FP N A second step 120 of determining the observation angle distribution (Lα-Dist) for a set number N of flight paths FP N a third step 130 of calculating a combined observation angle distribution (Combo-Lα-Dist) for Combo-Lα-Dist; a fourth step 140 of determining a combined incidence angle distribution (Combo-Iα-Dist) corresponding to Combo-Lα-Dist; and a fifth step 150 of adjusting at least one radome shell structural component of the radome to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist.

[0014] Referring to the first step 110 of the radome design method 100, for purposes of the embodiments described herein, a set number N of flight paths FP N Defining further includes utilizing a clustering algorithm to group flight paths by certain characteristics. According to certain embodiments, the clustering algorithm may be based on, for example, K-means clustering, mean shift clustering, DBSCAN clustering, Gaussian mixtures model (GMM) clustering, hierarchical agglomerative clustering, or any combination thereof. According to still other embodiments, the characteristics by which the clustering algorithm groups the flights may be selected from the group consisting of, for example, aircraft type, airline, trip type (leisure vs. business), radome type, antenna (hardware), satellite used by the provider, flight path plane relative to the equatorial plane combined with orientation, geographic location, La distribution, and flight duration.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment, the set number N may be a specific number relative to the total number of flight paths currently in use around the world. For example, if the total number of flight paths currently in use around the world is expressed in TFP, the set number N may be approximately 0.5 * Less than TFP, e.g., about 0.45 * Less than or equal to TFP, or about 0.4 * Less than or equal to TFP, or about 0.35 * Less than or equal to TFP, or about 0.3 * Less than or equal to TFP, or about 0.25 * May be equal to or less than TFP.

[0016] According to certain embodiments, the set number N may be a particular number. For example, the set number N may be at least 1 flight path, such as at least about 2 flight paths, or at least about 3 flight paths, or at least about 4 flight paths, or at least about 5 flight paths, or at least about 6 flight paths, or at least about 7 flight paths, or at least about 8 flight paths, or at least about 9 flight paths, or at least about 10 flight paths, or at least about 11 flight paths, or at least about 12 flight paths, or at least about 13 flight paths, or at least about 14 flight paths, or even at least about 15 flight paths. According to yet other embodiments, the set number N may be about 29,000 flight paths or less, for example, about 15,000 flight paths or less, or about 7,000 flight paths or less, or about 3,500 flight paths or less, or about 1,000 flight paths or less, or about 500 flight paths or less, or about 100 flight paths or less, or about 50 flight paths or less, or about 30 flight paths or less, or about 29 flight paths or less, or about 28 flight paths or less, or about 27 flight paths or less, or about 26 flight paths or less, or about 25 flight paths or less, or about 24 flight paths or less, or about 23 flight paths or less, or about 22 flight paths or less, or about 21 flight paths or even less than about 20 flight paths. It will be appreciated that the set number N may be between any of the minimum and maximum values ​​listed above. It will be further appreciated that the set number N may be any number within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values ​​listed above.

[0017] Referring to the second step 120 of the radome design method 100, for purposes of the embodiments described herein, Lα-Dist may be defined as the total observation angle distribution along a particular flight path. A particular observation angle for a given radome is the direction of a signal from a satellite to an antenna in the radome, or from an antenna in the radome to a satellite. The total observation angle distribution for a particular flight path is equal to the accumulated observation angle between the satellite and the radome over the entire duration of the particular flight path.

[0018] Referring to the third step 130 of the radome design method 100, for purposes of the embodiments described herein, Combo-Lα-Dist is a set number N of flight paths FP N The total observation angle distribution along the flight path FP with N set points can be defined as N The total observation angle distribution along each flight path FP N The accumulated observation angle between the satellite and the radome over the entire duration of the

[0019] According to a particular embodiment, a set number N of flight paths FP N The third step 130 of calculating the combined observation angle distribution (Combo-Lα-Dist) for each flight path FP N and using the weighted value to calculate Combo-Lα-Dist. According to certain embodiments, the weighting of each flight path can be based on certain variables such as: 1) the distance of a given flight path relative to other flight paths, 2) the mix of leisure travel vs. business travel, 3) the number of passengers on each flight (i.e., based on the size of the plane), 4) the frequency of use of the flight path (i.e., how many times per day the flight path is traveled), and 5) the number of people using a particular flight path to purchase Wi-Fi on the plane.

[0020] Referring to the fifth step 150 of the radome design method 100, for purposes of the embodiments described herein, adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist may specifically include adjusting the external shape of the radome.

[0021] According to yet other embodiments, adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist may include, inter alia, adjusting several structurally distinct zones that make up the radome shell structural component.

[0022] According to yet other embodiments, adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist may include, inter alia, adjusting characteristics of at least two structurally distinct zones constituting the radome shell structural component. According to certain embodiments, the characteristics may be selected from the group consisting of: a) a shape of each distinct zone, b) an arrangement pattern of each distinct zone in the radome, c) a size of each distinct zone, d) a position of each distinct zone in the radome, e) a structure of each distinct zone in the radome, and f) any combination thereof.

[0023] According to still other embodiments, adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at an angle within Combo-Iα-Dist may include, inter alia, adjusting several structurally distinct dielectric layers stacked on top of each other to constitute the radome shell structural component.

[0024] According to still other embodiments, adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist may include, inter alia, adjusting properties of at least two structurally distinct dielectric layers stacked on top of each other to constitute the radome shell structural component. According to certain embodiments, the properties may be selected from the group consisting of: a) thickness of each distinct dielectric layer, b) material composition of each distinct dielectric layer, c) order of each distinct dielectric layer, d) "mesostructure" of each distinct dielectric layer, and e) any combination thereof.

[0025] According to certain embodiments, minimizing electromagnetic impairments of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist may include minimizing electromagnetic impairments selected from the group consisting of transmission loss for any incident polarization, co-polarized loss, cross-polarized loss, polarization change, boresight error, side lobe level increase, main beam shape distortion, reflected power, noise increase, antenna VSWR increase, or combinations thereof.

[0026] According to certain embodiments described herein, minimizing the transmission loss for any incident polarization may include adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize the transmission loss of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, the transmission loss for an incident polarization is defined as the percent change from a measured baseline transmission for the incident polarization and may be measured using RTCA / DO-213.

[0027] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize the transmission loss to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize the transmission loss to about -0.1 dB or less, such as about -0.2 dB or less, or about -0.3 dB or less, or about -0.4 dB or less, or about -0.5 dB or less, or about -1.0 dB or less, or about -1.5 dB or less, or about -2.0 dB or less, or about -2.5 dB or less, or about -3.0 dB or less, or about -3.5 dB or less, or about -4.0 dB or less, or about -4.5 dB or less, or even about -5.0 dB or less.

[0028] According to other embodiments described herein, minimizing co-polarized loss may include adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize co-polarized loss for electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, co-polarized loss is defined as the transmission loss measured when the receive antenna exhibits the same nominal polarization as the transmit antenna, and may be measured using RTCA / DO-213.

[0029] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize co-polarization loss to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize co-polarization loss to at least about -5.0 dB, such as at least about -4.5 dB, or at least about -4.0 dB, or at least about -4.0 dB, or at least about -3.5 dB, or at least about -3.0 dB, or at least about -2.5 dB, or at least about -2.0 dB, or at least about -1.5 dB, or at least about -1.0 dB, or at least about -0.5 dB, or at least about -0.4 dB, or at least about -0.3 dB, or at least about -0.2 dB, or even at least about -0.1 dB.

[0030] According to other embodiments described herein, maximizing the cross polarization loss may include adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to maximize cross polarization loss for electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, cross polarization loss is defined as the transmission loss measured when the receive antenna presents a polarization orthogonal to the nominal polarization of the transmit antenna, and may be measured using RTCA / DO-213.

[0031] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to maximize cross polarization loss to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to maximize cross polarization loss to about -10 dB or less, such as about -20 dB or less, or about -30 dB or less, or about -40 dB or less, or about -50 dB or less, or about -60 dB or less, or about -70 dB or less, or about -80 dB or less, or about -90 dB or less, or even about -100 dB or less.

[0032] According to other embodiments described herein, minimizing the polarization change may include adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize polarization change of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, polarization change is defined as co-polarization loss due to modification of the initial polarization and may be measured using RTCA DO-213.

[0033] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize polarization change to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize polarization change to at least about -100 dB, such as at least about -90 dB, or at least about -80 dB, or at least about -70 dB, or at least about -60 dB, or at least about -50 dB, or at least about -40 dB, or at least about -30 dB, or at least about -20 dB, or even at least about -10 dB.

[0034] According to other embodiments described herein, minimizing the boresight error may include adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize the boresight error of an electromagnetic wave intersecting the radome at an angle within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, the boresight error is defined as the angular discrepancy between the angle of the initial antenna far profile maximum with respect to elevation and azimuth angles and the angle of the far field profile maximum after crossing the radome, and may be measured using RTCA DO-213.

[0035] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize boresight error to a particular level. For example, a structural region of the radome shell may be designed to minimize boresight error to about 20 mrad or less, e.g., about 18 mrad or less, or about 16 mrad or less, or about 14 mrad or less, or about 12 mrad or less, or about 10 mrad or less, or about 8 mrad or less, or about 6 mrad or less, or about 4 mrad or less, or about 2 mrad or less, or about 1 mrad or less, or about 0.9 mrad or less, or about 0.8 mrad or less, or about 0.7 mrad or less, or about 0.6 mrad or less, or about 0.5 mrad or less, or about 0.4 mrad or less, or about 0.3 mrad or less, or about 0.2 mrad or less, or about 0.1 mrad or less.

[0036] According to other embodiments described herein, minimizing the side lobe level increase for any incident polarization may include adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize the side lobe level of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, the side lobe level increase is defined as the difference between the level of the side lobe in the antenna pattern and the level of the side lobe after crossing the radome, and may be measured using RTCA DO-213.

[0037] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to increase the side lobe level to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to increase the side lobe level to about 10 dB or less, e.g., about 9 dB or less, or about 8 dB or less, or about 7 dB or less, or about 6 dB or less, or about 5 dB or less, or about 4 dB or less, or about 3 dB or less, or about 2 dB or less, or about 1 dB or less, or about 0.9 dB or less, or about 0.8 dB or less, or about 0.7 dB or less, or about 0.6 dB or less, or about 0.5 dB or less, or about 0.4 dB or less, or about 0.3 dB or less, or about 0.2 dB or less, or about 0.1 dB or less.

[0038] According to other embodiments described herein, minimizing the main beam shape distortion may include adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize main beam shape distortion of an electromagnetic wave intersecting the radome at an angle within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, main beam shape distortion is defined as pattern distortion and may be measured using RTCA DO-213.

[0039] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize the main beam shape distortion to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize the main beam shape distortion to about 5% or less, e.g., about 4.5% or less, or about 4.0% or less, or about 3.5% or less, or about 3.0% or less, or about 2.5% or less, or about 2.0% or less, or about 1.5% or less, or about 1.0% or less, or about 0.9% or less, or about 0.8% or less, or about 0.7% or less, or about 0.6% or less, or about 0.5% or less, or about 0.4% or less, or about 0.3% or less, or about 0.2% or less, or about 0.1% or less.

[0040] According to other embodiments described herein, minimizing the reflected power may include adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize reflected power intersecting the radome at an angle within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, reflected power is defined as the change in the magnitude of the reflection coefficient at the port of the radar and / or communication antenna caused by the presence of the radome. It is measured using a reflectometer with a remote head.

[0041] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize the reflected power to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize the reflected power to about -0.1 dB or less, such as about -0.2 dB or less, or about -0.3 dB or less, or about -0.4 dB or less, or about -0.5 dB or less, or about -1.0 dB or less, or about -1.5 dB or less, or about -2.0 dB or less, or about -2.5 dB or less, or about -3.0 dB or less, or about -3.5 dB or less, or about -4.0 dB or less, or about -4.5 dB or less, or even about -5.0 dB or less.

[0042] Referring now to a radome designed and formed in accordance with the embodiments described herein, such a radome may include at least one radome shell structural component tuned to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within a combined incidence angle distribution (Combo-Iα-Dist). According to certain embodiments, Combo-Iα-Dist corresponds to a combined observation angle distribution (Combo-Lα-Dist). For purposes of the embodiments described herein, Combo-Lα-Dist is a set number N of flight paths FP, each between a first city and a second city. N Define each flight path FP N Determine the observation angle distribution (Lα-Dist) for the set number N of flight paths FP N It is determined by calculating the combined observation angle distribution (Combo-Lα-Dist) for

[0043] According to a particular embodiment, the set number N may be a specific number relative to the total number of flight paths currently in use around the world. For example, if the total number of flight paths currently in use around the world is expressed in TFP, the set number N may be approximately 0.5 * Less than TFP, e.g., about 0.45 * Less than or equal to TFP, or about 0.4 * Less than or equal to TFP, or about 0.35 * Less than or equal to TFP, or about 0.3 * Less than or equal to TFP, or about 0.25 * May be equal to or less than TFP.

[0044] According to certain embodiments, the set number N may be a particular number. For example, the set number N may be at least 1 flight path, such as at least about 2 flight paths, or at least about 3 flight paths, or at least about 4 flight paths, or at least about 5 flight paths, or at least about 6 flight paths, or at least about 7 flight paths, or at least about 8 flight paths, or at least about 9 flight paths, or at least about 10 flight paths, or at least about 11 flight paths, or at least about 12 flight paths, or at least about 13 flight paths, or at least about 14 flight paths, or even at least about 15 flight paths. According to yet other embodiments, the set number N may be about 29,000 flight paths or less, for example, about 15,000 flight paths or less, or about 7,000 flight paths or less, or about 3,500 flight paths or less, or about 1,000 flight paths or less, or about 500 flight paths or less, or about 100 flight paths or less, or about 50 flight paths or less, or about 30 flight paths or less, or about 29 flight paths or less, or about 28 flight paths or less, or about 27 flight paths or less, or about 26 flight paths or less, or about 25 flight paths or less, or about 24 flight paths or less, or about 23 flight paths or less, or about 22 flight paths or less, or about 21 flight paths or even less than about 20 flight paths. It will be appreciated that the set number N may be between any of the minimum and maximum values ​​listed above. It will be further appreciated that the set number N may be any number within a range between any of the minimum and maximum values ​​listed above.

[0045] According to yet another embodiment, a set number N of flight paths FP NDefining may further include utilizing a clustering algorithm to group flight paths by certain characteristics. According to certain embodiments, the clustering algorithm may be based on, for example, K-means clustering, mean shift clustering, DBSCAN clustering, Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering, hierarchical agglomerative clustering, or any combination thereof. According to still other embodiments, the characteristics by which the clustering algorithm groups the flights may be selected from the group consisting of, for example, aircraft type, airline, trip type (leisure vs. business), radome type, antenna (hardware), satellite used by the provider, flight path plane relative to the equatorial plane combined with orientation, geographic location, La distribution, and flight duration.

[0046] According to yet another embodiment, a set number N of flight paths FP N Calculating the combined observation angle distribution (Combo-Lα-Dist) for each flight path FP N and using the weighted value to calculate Combo-Lα-Dist. According to certain embodiments, the weighting of each flight path can be based on certain variables such as: 1) the distance of a given flight path relative to other flight paths, 2) the mix of leisure travel vs. business travel, 3) the number of passengers on each flight (i.e., based on the size of the plane), 4) the frequency of use of the flight path (i.e., how many times per day the flight path is traveled), and 5) the number of people using a particular flight path to purchase Wi-Fi on the plane.

[0047] According to certain embodiments, at least one radome shell structural component may be adjusted to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist, which may include, in particular, adjusting the external shape of the radome.

[0048] According to yet other embodiments, at least one radome shell structural component may be adjusted to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist, which may include, in particular, adjusting several structurally distinct zones that make up the radome shell structural component.

[0049] According to yet other embodiments, at least one radome shell structural component may be tailored to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist, which may include, in particular, tailoring characteristics of at least two structurally distinct zones that make up the radome shell structural component. According to certain embodiments, the characteristics may be selected from the group consisting of: a) a shape of each distinct zone, b) an arrangement pattern of each distinct zone in the radome, c) a size of each distinct zone, d) a position of each distinct zone in the radome, e) a structure of each distinct zone in the radome, and f) any combination thereof.

[0050] According to still other embodiments, at least one radome shell structural component may be tailored to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist, which may include, in particular, tailoring several structurally distinct dielectric layers stacked on top of each other to constitute the radome shell structural component.

[0051] According to still other embodiments, at least one radome shell structural component may be tailored to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist by tailoring properties of at least two structurally distinct dielectric layers stacked on top of each other to comprise the radome shell structural component. According to certain embodiments, the properties may be selected from the group consisting of a) the thickness of each distinct dielectric layer, b) the material composition of each distinct dielectric layer, c) the order of each distinct dielectric layer, d) the “mesostructure” of each distinct dielectric layer, and e) any combination thereof.

[0052] According to certain embodiments, electromagnetic impairments of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist may be minimized by minimizing electromagnetic impairments selected from the group consisting of transmission loss for any incident polarization, co-polarized loss, cross-polarized loss, polarization change, boresight error, side lobe level increase, main beam shape distortion, reflected power, noise increase, antenna VSWR increase, or combinations thereof.

[0053] According to certain embodiments described herein, the radome may include at least one radome shell structural component tuned to minimize transmission loss of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, transmission loss for an incident polarization is defined as the percent change from a measured baseline transmission for the incident polarization and may be measured using RTCA / DO-213.

[0054] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize the transmission loss to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize the transmission loss to about -0.1 dB or less, such as about -0.2 dB or less, or about -0.3 dB or less, or about -0.4 dB or less, or about -0.5 dB or less, or about -1.0 dB or less, or about -1.5 dB or less, or about -2.0 dB or less, or about -2.5 dB or less, or about -3.0 dB or less, or about -3.5 dB or less, or about -4.0 dB or less, or about -4.5 dB or less, or even about -5.0 dB or less.

[0055] According to other embodiments described herein, the radome may include at least one radome shell structural component tuned to minimize co-polarized loss for electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, co-polarized loss is defined as the transmission loss measured when the receive antenna exhibits the same nominal polarization as the transmit antenna, and may be measured using RTCA / DO-213.

[0056] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize co-polarization loss to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize co-polarization loss to at least about -5.0 dB, such as at least about -4.5 dB, or at least about -4.0 dB, or at least about -4.0 dB, or at least about -3.5 dB, or at least about -3.0 dB, or at least about -2.5 dB, or at least about -2.0 dB, or at least about -1.5 dB, or at least about -1.0 dB, or at least about -0.5 dB, or at least about -0.4 dB, or at least about -0.3 dB, or at least about -0.2 dB, or even at least about -0.1 dB.

[0057] According to other embodiments described herein, the radome may include at least one radome shell structural component tuned to maximize cross-polarization loss for electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, cross-polarization loss is defined as the transmission loss measured when the receive antenna presents a polarization orthogonal to the nominal polarization of the transmit antenna, and may be measured using RTCA / DO-213.

[0058] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to maximize cross polarization loss to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to maximize cross polarization loss to about -10 dB or less, such as about -20 dB or less, or about -30 dB or less, or about -40 dB or less, or about -50 dB or less, or about -60 dB or less, or about -70 dB or less, or about -80 dB or less, or about -90 dB or less, or even about -100 dB or less.

[0059] According to other embodiments described herein, the radome may include at least one radome shell structural component tuned to minimize polarization change of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, polarization change is defined as co-polarization loss due to modification of the initial polarization and may be measured using RTCA DO-213.

[0060] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize polarization change to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize polarization change to at least about -100 dB, such as at least about -90 dB, or at least about -80 dB, or at least about -70 dB, or at least about -60 dB, or at least about -50 dB, or at least about -40 dB, or at least about -30 dB, or at least about -20 dB, or even at least about -10 dB.

[0061] According to other embodiments described herein, the radome may include at least one radome shell structural component tuned to minimize boresight error for electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, boresight error is defined as the angular mismatch between the angle of the initial antenna far profile maximum with respect to elevation and azimuth angles and the angle of the far field profile maximum after crossing the radome, and may be measured using RTCA DO-213.

[0062] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize boresight error to a particular level. For example, at least one structural region of the radome shell may be designed to minimize boresight error to about 20 mrad or less, e.g., about 18 mrad or less, or about 16 mrad or less, or about 14 mrad or less, or about 12 mrad or less, or about 10 mrad or less, or about 8 mrad or less, or about 6 mrad or less, or about 4 mrad or less, or about 2 mrad or less, or about 1 mrad or less, or about 0.9 mrad or less, or about 0.8 mrad or less, or about 0.7 mrad or less, or about 0.6 mrad or less, or about 0.5 mrad or less, or about 0.4 mrad or less, or about 0.3 mrad or less, or about 0.2 mrad or less, or about 0.1 mrad or less.

[0063] According to other embodiments described herein, the radome may include at least one radome shell structural component tuned to minimize the side lobe level of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, the side lobe level increase is defined as the difference between the level of the side lobe in the antenna pattern and the level of the side lobe after crossing the radome, and may be measured using RTCA DO-213.

[0064] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to increase the side lobe level to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to increase the side lobe level to about 10 dB or less, e.g., about 9 dB or less, or about 8 dB or less, or about 7 dB or less, or about 6 dB or less, or about 5 dB or less, or about 4 dB or less, or about 3 dB or less, or about 2 dB or less, or about 1 dB or less, or about 0.9 dB or less, or about 0.8 dB or less, or about 0.7 dB or less, or about 0.6 dB or less, or about 0.5 dB or less, or about 0.4 dB or less, or about 0.3 dB or less, or about 0.2 dB or less, or about 0.1 dB or less.

[0065] According to other embodiments described herein, the radome may include at least one radome shell structural component tuned to minimize main beam shape distortion of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, main beam shape distortion is defined as pattern distortion and may be measured using RTCA DO-213.

[0066] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize the main beam shape distortion to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize the main beam shape distortion to about 5% or less, e.g., about 4.5% or less, or about 4.0% or less, or about 3.5% or less, or about 3.0% or less, or about 2.5% or less, or about 2.0% or less, or about 1.5% or less, or about 1.0% or less, or about 0.9% or less, or about 0.8% or less, or about 0.7% or less, or about 0.6% or less, or about 0.5% or less, or about 0.4% or less, or about 0.3% or less, or about 0.2% or less, or about 0.1% or less.

[0067] According to other embodiments described herein, the radome may include at least one radome shell structural component structured to minimize reflected power electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. For purposes of the embodiments described herein, reflected power is defined as the change in the magnitude of the reflection coefficient at the ports of the radar and / or communication antenna caused by the presence of the radome. It is measured using a reflectometer with a remote head.

[0068] According to certain embodiments described herein, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize the reflected power to a particular level. For example, at least one radome shell structural component may be designed to minimize the reflected power to about -0.1 dB or less, such as about -0.2 dB or less, or about -0.3 dB or less, or about -0.4 dB or less, or about -0.5 dB or less, or about -1.0 dB or less, or about -1.5 dB or less, or about -2.0 dB or less, or about -2.5 dB or less, or about -3.0 dB or less, or about -3.5 dB or less, or about -4.0 dB or less, or about -4.5 dB or less, or even about -5.0 dB or less.

[0069] Many different aspects and embodiments are possible. Some of these aspects and embodiments are described herein. After reading this specification, a person skilled in the art will understand that these aspects and embodiments are merely exemplary and do not limit the scope of the present invention. The embodiment can be according to any one or more of the embodiments listed below.

[0070] Embodiment 1. A method for designing a radome, comprising: N and each flight path FP N The observation angle distribution (Lα-Dist) is determined for the flight path FP N calculating a combined observation angle distribution (Combo-Lα-Dist) for Combo-Lα-Dist, determining a combined incidence angle distribution (Combo-Iα-Dist) corresponding to Combo-Lα-Dist, and adjusting at least one radome shell structural component of the radome to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist. Embodiment 2. Flight paths FP with set number N N2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein defining further comprises utilizing a clustering algorithm to group flight paths by certain characteristics. According to certain embodiments, the clustering algorithm may be based on, for example, K-means clustering, mean shift clustering, DBSCAN clustering, Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering, hierarchical agglomerative clustering, or any combination thereof. According to still other embodiments, the characteristics by which the clustering algorithm groups the flights may be selected from the group consisting of, for example, aircraft type, airline, trip type (leisure vs. business), radome type, antenna (hardware), satellite used by the provider, flight path plane relative to the equatorial plane combined with orientation, geographic location, La distribution, and flight duration. Embodiment 3. Flight path FP with set number N N Calculating Combo-Lα-Dist for each flight path,FP,based on 1) the distance of a given flight path relative to other flight paths,,2) the mix of leisure vs. business travel,,3) the number of passengers on each flight (i.e., based on the plane size),,4) the frequency of use of the flight path (i.e., how many times per day someone travels that flight path),,5) the number of people using that particular flight path to purchase Wi-Fi on the plane, N 2. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising weighting: The method of embodiment 4, wherein N is equal to at least about 1 flight path, or at least about 2 flight paths, or at least about 3 flight paths, or at least about 4 flight paths, or at least about 5 flight paths, or at least about 6 flight paths, or at least about 7 flight paths, or at least about 8 flight paths, or at least about 9 flight paths, or at least about 10 flight paths, or at least about 11 flight paths, or at least about 12 flight paths, or at least about 13 flight paths, or at least about 14 flight paths, or even at least about 15 flight paths. The method of embodiment 1, wherein N is equal to about 29,000 flight paths or less, e.g., about 15,000 flight paths or less, or about 7,000 flight paths or less, or about 3,500 flight paths or less, or about 1,000 flight paths or less, or about 500 flight paths or less, or about 100 flight paths or less, or about 50 flight paths or less, or about 30 flight paths or less, or about 29 flight paths or less, or about 28 flight paths or less, or about 27 flight paths or less, or about 26 flight paths or less, or about 25 flight paths or less, or about 24 flight paths or less, or about 23 flight paths or less, or about 22 flight paths or less, or about 21 flight paths or less, or even about 20 flight paths or less. Embodiment 6. The method of embodiment 1, wherein adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist includes adjusting an external shape of the radome. Embodiment 7. The method of embodiment 1, wherein adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist includes adjusting several structurally distinct zones that make up the radome shell structural component. Embodiment 8. The method of embodiment 1, wherein adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist includes adjusting characteristics of at least two structurally distinct zones that constitute the radome shell structural component, the characteristics being selected from the group consisting of a) the shape of each distinct zone, b) the arrangement pattern of each distinct zone in the radome, c) the size of each distinct zone, d) the position of each distinct zone in the radome, e) the structure of each distinct zone in the radome, and f) any combination thereof. Embodiment 9. The method of embodiment 1, wherein adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist includes adjusting several structurally distinct dielectric layers stacked on top of each other to constitute the radome shell structural component. Embodiment 10. The method of embodiment 1, wherein adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist includes adjusting properties of at least two structurally distinct dielectric layers stacked on top of each other to constitute the radome shell structural component, the properties being selected from the group consisting of: a) the thickness of each distinct dielectric layer, b) the material composition of each distinct dielectric layer, c) the order of each distinct dielectric layer, d) the "mesostructure" of each distinct dielectric layer, and e) any combination thereof. Embodiment 11. The method of embodiment 1, wherein minimizing electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist includes minimizing electromagnetic degradation selected from the group consisting of transmission loss for any incident polarization, co-polarized loss, cross-polarized loss, polarization change, boresight error, side lobe level increase, main beam shape distortion, reflected power, noise increase, antenna VSWR increase, or combinations thereof. Embodiment 12. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the radome comprises a transmission loss of about -0.1 dB or less. Embodiment 13. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the radome comprises a co-polarization loss of at least about -5.0 dB. Embodiment 14. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the radome comprises a cross-polarization loss of about -10 dB or less. Embodiment 15. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the radome includes a polarization change of at least about -100 dB. Embodiment 16. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the radome includes a boresight error of about 20 mrad or less. Embodiment 17. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the radome includes a side lobe level increase of about 10 dB or less. Embodiment 18. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the radome includes a main beam shape distortion of about 5% or less. Embodiment 19. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the radome comprises a reflected power of about -0.1 dB or less. Embodiment 20. A radome comprising at least one radome shell structural component tuned to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within a combined incidence angle distribution (Combo-Iα-Dist), where Combo-Iα-Dist corresponds to a combined observation angle distribution (Combo-Lα-Dist), where Combo-Lα-Dist is a set number N of flight paths FP, each of which is between a first city and a second city. N Define each flight path FP N Determine the observation angle distribution (Lα-Dist) for the set number N of flight paths FP N The radome is determined by calculating the combined observation angle distribution (Combo-Lα-Dist) for 21. Flight path FP with set number N N 21. The radome of embodiment 20, wherein defining further comprises utilizing a clustering algorithm to group flight paths by certain characteristics. According to certain embodiments, the clustering algorithm may be based on, for example, K-means clustering, mean shift clustering, DBSCAN clustering, Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering, hierarchical agglomerative clustering, or any combination thereof. According to still other embodiments, the characteristics by which the clustering algorithm groups the flights may be selected from the group consisting of, for example, aircraft type, airline, trip type (leisure vs. business), radome type, antenna (hardware), satellite used by the provider, flight path plane relative to the equatorial plane combined with orientation, geographic location, La distribution, and flight duration. 22. Flight path FP with set number N NCalculating Combo-Lα-Dist for each flight path,FP,based on 1) the distance of a given flight path relative to other flight paths,,2) the mix of leisure vs. business travel,,3) the number of passengers on each flight (i.e., based on the plane size),,4) the frequency of use of the flight path (i.e., how many times per day someone travels that flight path),,5) the number of people using that particular flight path to purchase Wi-Fi on the plane, N 21. The radome of embodiment 20, further comprising weighting the The radome of embodiment 20, wherein embodiment 23.N is equal to at least about 1 flight path, or at least about 2 flight paths, or at least about 3 flight paths, or at least about 4 flight paths, or at least about 5 flight paths, or at least about 6 flight paths, or at least about 7 flight paths, or at least about 8 flight paths, or at least about 9 flight paths, or at least about 10 flight paths, or at least about 11 flight paths, or at least about 12 flight paths, or at least about 13 flight paths, or at least about 14 flight paths, or even at least about 15 flight paths. The radome of embodiment 20, wherein embodiment 24.N is equal to about 29,000 flight paths or less, for example, about 15,000 flight paths or less, or about 7,000 flight paths or less, or about 3,500 flight paths or less, or about 1,000 flight paths or less, or about 500 flight paths or less, or about 100 flight paths or less, or about 50 flight paths or less, or about 30 flight paths or less, or about 29 flight paths or less, or about 28 flight paths or less, or about 27 flight paths or less, or about 26 flight paths or less, or about 25 flight paths or less, or about 24 flight paths or less, or about 23 flight paths or less, or about 22 flight paths or less, or about 21 flight paths or even about 20 flight paths or less. Embodiment 25. A radome as described in embodiment 20, wherein at least one radome shell structural component adjusted to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist includes an outer contour of the radome. Embodiment 26. A radome as described in embodiment 20, wherein at least one radome shell structural component adjusted to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist includes several structurally distinct zones constituting the radome shell structural component. Embodiment 27. A radome as described in embodiment 20, wherein at least one radome shell structural component adjusted to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist includes characteristics of at least two structurally distinct zones that constitute the radome shell structural component, the characteristics being selected from the group consisting of a) the shape of each distinct zone, b) the arrangement pattern of each distinct zone in the radome, c) the size of each distinct zone, d) the position of each distinct zone in the radome, e) the structure of each distinct zone in the radome, and f) any combination thereof. Embodiment 28. A radome as described in embodiment 20, wherein at least one radome shell structural component adjusted to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist includes several structurally distinct dielectric layers stacked on top of each other to constitute the radome shell structural component. Embodiment 29. A radome as described in embodiment 20, wherein at least one radome shell structural component adjusted to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist includes properties of at least two structurally distinct dielectric layers stacked on top of each other to form the radome shell structural component, the properties being selected from the group consisting of a) the thickness of each distinct dielectric layer, b) the material composition of each distinct dielectric layer, c) the order of each distinct dielectric layer, d) the "mesostructure" of each distinct dielectric layer, and e) any combination thereof. Embodiment 30. A radome as described in embodiment 20, wherein the minimized electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within Combo-Iα-Dist includes electromagnetic degradation selected from the group consisting of transmission loss for any incident polarization, co-polarized loss, cross-polarized loss, polarization change, boresight error, side lobe level increase, main beam shape distortion, reflected power, noise increase, antenna VSWR increase, or combinations thereof. Embodiment 31. A radome as described in embodiment 30, wherein the radome has a transmission loss of about -0.1 dB or less. Embodiment 32. A radome as described in embodiment 30, wherein the radome includes a co-polarization loss of at least about -5.0 dB. Embodiment 33. A radome as described in embodiment 30, wherein the radome includes a cross polarization loss of about -10 dB or less. Embodiment 34. A radome as described in embodiment 30, wherein the radome includes a polarization change of at least about -100 dB. Embodiment 35. A radome as described in embodiment 30, wherein the radome includes a boresight error of about 20 mrad or less. Embodiment 36. A radome as described in embodiment 30, wherein the radome includes a side lobe level increase of about 10 dB or less. Embodiment 37. A radome as described in embodiment 30, wherein the radome includes a main beam shape distortion of about 5% or less. Embodiment 38. A radome as described in embodiment 30, wherein the radome includes a reflected power of about -0.1 dB or less.

[0071] It should be noted that in the general description or examples, not all of the activities described above are required, some of the specific activities may not be required, and one or more additional activities may be performed in addition to the activities described. Still further, the order in which the activities are listed is not necessarily the order in which they are performed.

[0072] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with respect to particular embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any features that may provide or make more prominent any benefit, advantage, or solution should not be construed as critical, necessary, or essential features of any or all of the claims.

[0073] The specification and drawings of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The specification and drawings are not intended to serve as an exhaustive and comprehensive description of all elements and features of the apparatus and systems that use the structures or methods described herein. Separate embodiments may be provided in combination in a single embodiment, and conversely, various features that are described for brevity in the context of a single embodiment may be provided separately or in any subcombination. Furthermore, references to values ​​described in ranges include each and every value within that range. Many other embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art only after reading this specification. Other embodiments may be used and derived from this disclosure, such that structural substitutions, logical substitutions, or other changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Thus, this disclosure should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. 1. A method for designing a radome, comprising the steps of: A set number N of flight paths FP, each of which is between a first city and a second city. Ｎ and Each flight route FP Ｎ Determining the observation angle distribution (Lα-Dist) for The flight path FP of the set number N Ｎ Calculating a combined observation angle distribution (Combo-Lα-Dist) for determining a combined incidence angle distribution (Combo-Iα-Dist) corresponding to said Combo-Lα-Dist; and adjusting at least one radome shell structural component of the radome to minimize electromagnetic degradation of an electromagnetic wave intersecting the radome at an angle within the Combo-Iα-Dist.

2. Flight route FP with set number N Ｎ The method of claim 1 , wherein defining further comprises utilizing a clustering algorithm to group flight paths by characteristics.

3. The flight path FP of the set number N Ｎ Calculating the Combo-Lα-Dist for each flight path FP based on: 1) the distance of a given flight path relative to other flight paths; 2) the mix of leisure travel vs. business travel; 3) the number of passengers on each flight (i.e., based on airplane size); 4) the frequency of use of the flight path (i.e., how many times a day the flight path is traveled); and 5) the number of people using a particular flight path to purchase Wi-Fi on the plane. Ｎ The method of claim 1 , further comprising weighting:

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein N is equal to at least about 1 flight path, or at least about 2 flight paths, or at least about 3 flight paths, or at least about 4 flight paths, or at least about 5 flight paths, or at least about 6 flight paths, or at least about 7 flight paths, or at least about 8 flight paths, or at least about 9 flight paths, or at least about 10 flight paths, or at least about 11 flight paths, or at least about 12 flight paths, or at least about 13 flight paths, or at least about 14 flight paths, or even at least about 15 flight paths.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein N is equal to about 29,000 flight paths or less.

6. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at an angle within the Combo-Iα-Dist comprises adjusting an external shape of the radome.

7. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at an angle within the Combo-Iα-Dist comprises adjusting several structurally distinct zones that make up the radome shell structural component.

8. Adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of an electromagnetic wave intersecting the radome at an angle within the Combo-Iα-Dist includes adjusting characteristics of at least two structurally distinct zones that constitute the radome shell structural component, the characteristics being: a) the shape of each separate zone; b) the arrangement pattern of each distinct zone in the radome; c) the size of each separate zone; d) the location of each distinct zone in the radome; e) the structure of each distinct zone in the radome; and f) any combination thereof.

9. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at an angle within the Combo-Iα-Dist comprises adjusting several structurally distinct dielectric layers stacked on top of each other to constitute the radome shell structural component.

10. Adjusting at least one radome shell structural component to minimize electromagnetic degradation of an electromagnetic wave intersecting the radome at an angle within the Combo-Iα-Dist comprises adjusting properties of at least two structurally distinct dielectric layers stacked on top of each other to form the radome shell structural component, the properties being: (a) the thickness of each individual dielectric layer; (b) the material composition of each distinct dielectric layer; (c) the sequence of each separate dielectric layer; (d) the “mesostructure” of each separate dielectric layer; and (e) any combination thereof.

11. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein minimizing electromagnetic impairments of electromagnetic waves intersecting the radome at angles within the Combo-Iα-Dist includes minimizing electromagnetic impairments selected from the group consisting of transmission loss for any incident polarization, co-polarized loss, cross-polarized loss, polarization change, boresight error, side lobe level increase, main beam shape distortion, reflected power, noise increase, antenna VSWR increase, or combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the radome comprises a transmission loss of less than about −0.1 dB and at least about −5.0 dB.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the radome comprises a cross polarization loss of less than about −10 dB and at least about −100 dB.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the radome comprises a boresight error of about 20 mrad or less.

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