Radome Casing Sandwich Structure for Signal Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The attenuation of high-frequency signals in radome casings, particularly due to the reinforcement fibers in composite materials, limits the broadcasting coverage in base stations, despite efforts to minimize signal loss by making the casing walls as thin as possible while maintaining mechanical strength.
Innovation Solution
The radome casing design reduces the amount of reinforcement fibers by up to 95% at the radiation transmission window, replacing them with a low dielectric constant filling material, such as plastic foam, to create a sandwich structure with surface layers made of composite material, which maintains strength and weather resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the walls of radome casing are made thin to reduce signal attenuation, then the high-frequency signal transmission is improved, but the mechanical strength of the casing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a sandwich structure where only the surface layers contain reinforcement fibers while the middle layer is fiber-free. This localized differentiation allows the radiation window area to have low signal attenuation (due to reduced fiber content) while the surface layers maintain mechanical strength and weather resistance. The fiber-free middle layer specifically addresses the signal transmission problem in the radiation window zone without compromising overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining reinforcement fibers with matrix resin in the surface layers to create a sandwich structure. This composite approach allows the outer layers to provide mechanical strength and weather resistance while the inner fiber-free layer minimizes signal attenuation. The combination of different material properties in specific layers resolves the contradiction between strength requirements and signal transmission needs.
2Loss of energy
If the amount of reinforcement fibers is reduced at the radiation window to improve signal transmission, then the high-frequency broadcasting coverage is improved, but the mechanical strength and weather resistance of the casing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sandwich structure with fiber-free middle layer applies local quality by concentrating reinforcement fibers only in the surface layers. This allows the radiation window area to have minimal fiber content for optimal signal transmission, while the surface layers maintain weather resistance and mechanical strength. The localized fiber distribution resolves the contradiction between signal transmission and environmental durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall structure is segmented into three distinct layers: outer surface layer with fibers, middle fiber-free layer, and inner surface layer with fibers. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the surface layers provide protection against weather and mechanical stress, while the middle layer ensures minimal signal attenuation. The segmented structure resolves the contradiction by separating the functions of protection and signal transmission into different layers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces signal attenuation, allowing for improved high-frequency broadcasting coverage while maintaining mechanical integrity and weather resistance, even in applications like street light poles.
Implementation Method 1
the fibers can be replaced at the location of the radiation window by a filling material having a low dielectric constant, preferably lower than 4 or even lower than 3
Implementation Method 2
making a straight tubular or C-formed profile of composite material by pultrusion process wherein reinforcement fibers are pulled through matrix resin and then via preforming guides and then through forming die to finalize the shape of profile walls, pulling the shaped profile via a heated mold
Data Source
AI summary
Invention relates to a radome casing and method for its manufacturing. The radome casing comprises walls (6, 11) of composite material which includes reinforcement fibers (8) and matrix resin (19) binding the fibers together. The walls include a radiation transmission window (11) through which the radiation of a radome antenna passes when the radome antenna (2) is mounted inside the radome casing (1). The amount of fibers in the radiation transmission window (11) is reduced to be less than 40-5% of the amount of fibers elsewhere in the casing walls (6). The reduction of reinforcement fibers in the radiation transmission window (11) reduces attenuation of the high frequency radiation.