Wavy Radome Structure for Wider Radar Beam Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Array antennas used in satellite communication suffer from narrow beam width, leading to signal distortion or loss, necessitating increased ground stations or manpower, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A radome with a wavy surface and varying thickness is designed to widen the beam width of electromagnetic waves by adjusting phase retardation through different refraction angles, using a dielectric material with varying thickness to achieve divergence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an array antenna is used to transmit signals, then the signal transmission is achieved, but the beam width is narrow causing signal distortion or loss
Solution Approach 1:
The radome employs a curved wavy surface structure with varying thickness along the radial direction. The surface profile includes wave crests and wave troughs that create phase differences in electromagnetic waves passing through different regions, effectively widening the beam width while maintaining signal transmission reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The radome's thickness parameter is deliberately varied along the radial direction, creating regions of different thicknesses that introduce phase retardation differences. This parameter change enables the electromagnetic waves to diverge and expand the beam width without compromising the transmission quality
2Reliability
If the quantity of ground stations is increased to ensure good satellite communication, then the signal coverage is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radome transforms a single ground station's antenna into a multi-functional device by enabling it to transmit and receive signals over a wider angular range. The wavy surface structure allows one antenna to cover multiple directions, effectively replacing the need for multiple ground stations and reducing overall system quantity requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If the transmitting/receiving field of view is increased to ensure good satellite communication, then the signal coverage is improved, but the manpower requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved wavy surface of the radome automatically directs electromagnetic waves into wider angular patterns without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. This geometric design achieves expanded field of view passively, eliminating the need for additional manpower for manual adjustments or monitoring
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 enhances transmission coverage and receiving angle by increasing beam width, allowing larger field of view without the need for additional ground stations.
Implementation Method 1
The electromagnetic waves emitted to different portions of the radome are refracted with different refraction angles to achieve divergence effect
Implementation Method 2
the radome has a wavy surface and varying thickness to adjust the phase retardation of electromagnetic waves emitted to the radome
Data Source
AI summary
A radome and a radar device using the radome are provided. The radome is made of a dielectric material. A thickness of the dielectric material is first increased and then decreased along a radial direction extending from a center to an outer edge of the radome. The radar device includes the radome and an antenna transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves passing through the radome.