Variable-Thickness Radome for Wider Radar Beam Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Array antennas used in satellite communication have a narrow beam width, leading to signal distortion or loss for signals outside this range, necessitating an increase in ground stations or field of view, which is costly and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A radome with a wavy surface and varying thickness made of dielectric material is used to widen the beam width of electromagnetic waves, achieved by increasing and then decreasing the thickness along the radial direction, causing refracted waves to diverge and increase the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If array antenna transmits signals through narrow beam width, then signal focus is improved, but field of view and transmission coverage are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The radome employs a curved wavy surface structure with varying thickness along the radial direction. This curvature design causes electromagnetic waves passing through different regions of the radome to experience different phase delays, resulting in beam divergence that widens the field of view while maintaining signal focus through controlled phase distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The radome utilizes controlled changes in thickness parameter along the radial direction to adjust the phase retardation of electromagnetic waves. By varying the thickness from the center to the edge of the radome, the patent achieves different refraction angles for waves passing through different portions, thereby controlling beam divergence and expanding transmission coverage.
2Reliability
If ground stations quantity is increased to ensure satellite communication coverage, then communication reliability is improved, but cost and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radome structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the antenna while also functioning as a beam-shaping element that widens the field of view. This multi-functionality allows a single ground station equipped with the radome to achieve broader coverage, reducing the need for additional ground stations to ensure comprehensive satellite communication coverage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If radome thickness is increased along radial direction, then beam divergence and field of view are widened, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radome structure is divided into multiple annular regions with different thickness characteristics. This segmentation allows the complex varying thickness profile to be constructed from simpler discrete sections, each with relatively uniform thickness, thereby facilitating manufacturing while achieving the overall beam divergence effect.
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
The radome significantly increases the transmission coverage and receiving angle of radar devices, enhancing satellite communication without the need for additional ground stations or increased manpower.
Implementation Method 1
The electromagnetic waves emitted to different portions of the radome are refracted with different refraction angles to achieve divergence effect
Data Source
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AI summary
A radome (10) and a radar device (20) using the radome (10) are provided. The radome (10) is made of a dielectric material. A thickness of the dielectric material is first increased and then decreased along a radial direction (D) extending from a center (C) to an outer edge (10A) of the radome (10). The radar device (20) includes the radome (10) and an antenna (22) transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves passing through the radome (10).