Synergic Use Of Measurement And Simulation In The Design Of Antenna Radomes

The antenna radome is an indispensable component for the installation of antennas in many applications. Radomes are generally designed for minimum impact on the antenna performance but often the radome can be used as an integral part of the antenna design. For this reason, each radome should be designed specifically for the antenna using an accurate full-wave model. Unfortunately, the antenna model is not always available, as the antenna is often supplied by third-parties and thus protected by intellectual property rights. Recent publications show that highly accurate computational antenna models can be derived from measurements as Huygens box, compatible with most commercial numerical tools. Hence, designer have a complete numerical model of the antenna and radome reducing the risk of expensive reworking of the radome at a later stage. This paper will show the efficiency of this technique by design, manufacturing and testing of a radome for a commercial antenna.