Radome design and performance - A review

The rapid growth and development of techniques for electromagnetic jamming of radar and communication systems has led to enhanced interest in the design of antenna systems with improved electrical performance. Low sidelobe, multifrequency, and wider bandwidth antenna systems are of particular interest. For many applications the antenna will be enclosed by a radome and the overall system performance will be critically dependent upon the characteristics of this electromagnetic window. Radome applications are discussed, taking into account radomes for terrestrial or sea-borne radars, radomes for terrestrial communications, airborne radomes, rain erosion, and radomes for satellite communications. Radome materials are discussed, giving attention to glass fiber reinforced plastics, modified dielectric core materials, and missile radome materials. A description of electromagnetic analysis and design techniques is also provided.