Prediction of the electromagnetic performance of large ground-based impedance-loaded dielectric space-frame radomes

The authors describe a computer model for predicting the co- and crosspolar fields scattered by a space-frame radome enclosing a typical SSR antenna, and hence the degradation in performance of the latter. The model is then used to examine the performance of several full-size antenna-space-frame radome combinations operating at 1 and 3 GHz, and employing both hexagonal and triangular panel configurations. Parameters such as boresight loss, sidelobe level and crosspolar performance are examined, both with and without impedance loading of the struts