Efficient design methodology for sandwich radome panels: A C-band design example

Abstract

In this study, a multidisciplinary design procedure for sandwich radomes is presented. This methodology is composed of two parallel paths which are related to each other, one for electromagnetic behaviour and the other for its mechanical properties. The electromagnetic performance and mechanical properties are often mutually related resulting in a parameter selection compromise between them. The presented methodology is applied on an A type sandwich panel for C-band weather applications. It is composed of primary electromagnetic and mechanical designs, dielectric constant measurement, and electromagnetic and mechanical optimisations. Mechanical design of the sample panels according to survival wind loading of 220 km/h is done numerically and experimentally. Pressure distribution on the radome structure caused by the wind load is calculated numerically. The critical buckling load (120 N) is reported according to ASTM C364 edge wised compression standard test. A sample A-type sandwich panel with the respective thicknesses of 13.2 and 0.6 mm for its core and face sheets, respectively, is fabricated and tested. The dielectric constants of each are measured by using two methods and the results, which are in agreement in both methods, are ~1.05 and 3.3, respectively. The insertion loss of the fabricated panel is lower than 0.2 dB over the entire desired band.