The Design Of Airborne Pod Radome

Radome design is an integrated process, involving aerodynamics, structural design, electromagnetic theory and process technology. In the radome design, there are two considerations: one is giving the mechanical properties priority to the electrical properties; another is the first to design the radome electrical thickness, then to design the mechanical structural. In practice, it is difficult to distinguish between these two considerations, mainly depending on the focus of radome used. The mechanical structural of radome to be considered from two aspects-the stress and the strength. The stress mainly from air power or wind load, thermal stress, shock wave pressure and inertia loads in work environment, these stresses can be analyzed by fluid dynamics software; The strength mainly be affected from materials, structure types, thickness and the shape and size of radome, ect., these analysis can be conducted by finite element software. In the radome electrical design, often make some preliminary mechanical properties judgments base on the initial experience; mechanical design also do the same judgments. Typically the radome electrical design is calculated by some analysis. After selected the antenna type, antenna location and the shape, design the radome to meet the requirements based on the antenna structural characteristics and the material electrical parameters. Due to some factors need to be consideration, there need to make a balance selection between electrical performance and mechanical properties in radome optimal design.This paper selects a pod radome as the research model, the main design of the electrical performance. The key of radome design is to select the wall structure and thickness, using the four-terminal network theory, designs the thickness of the dielectric layers respectively, and calculates the incident angle characteristics and the frequency characteristics.Use the SolidWorks software to create to three-dimensional model of this radome, and using the HFSS simulation software to evaluate the final performance of the pod radome. Though these actions, testing the performance of radome and the design method can be done.The radome electrical testing is an important process in radome research. The electrical testing includes the equivalent flat testing and actual product testing. They have an important role in radome different designed stages.