FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to radome structural designs and, in particular, to radome structural designs optimized for transmission of broadband electromagnetic waves.

BACKGROUND

Generally, microwave antennas are covered with radomes to protect the antennas from harmful weather conditions and to ensure the antenna's continuous and precise operation. Radomes can be in the form of thin wall radomes, solid wall radomes, and sandwich radomes. Thin wall radomes have a thickness typically less than 1/16 inch and may be supported using increased air pressure or using a supporting frame. Solid wall radomes are typically made of a heavier solid laminate, and sandwich radomes include a low dielectric core material sandwiched between thin inner and outer laminate layers. The core material is typically a plastic foam structure or a honeycomb structure.

Regardless of the materials used to form radomes, the radome structure generally degrades the signal strength of electromagnetic waves transmitted from the antennas through the radome. This is particularly true in regards to broadband transmissions. Accordingly, radomes with improved structural designs that have the ability for adjustment and optimization to minimize electromagnetic degradation over broadband electromagnetic wave transmissions are desired.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, a radome structure may include a structural component, an inner tuning layer component underlying the structural component and an outer tuning layer component overlaying the structural component. The structural component may include a first fiber-reinforced dielectric layer that may include a first fiber-reinforced polymer. The inner tuning layer component may include a first inner tuning layer that may include a second fiber-reinforced polymer. The outer tuning layer component may include a first outer tuning layer that may include a third fiber-reinforced polymer.

