Finite element analysis of axisymmetric radomes

A two-step technique for the analysis of axisymmetric radomes is presented. Initially, an axisymmetric finite-element approach is employed, together with an absorbing boundary condition for mesh truncation, to determine the near fields scattered by an empty radome illuminated by a distant source. Next, the reciprocity theorem is invoked to determine the far-field pattern of an antenna encased by the radome, by computing the interaction between the current distribution on the antenna and the near-field data determined in the first step. The details of the formulation are presented along with numerical results for two different arrays enclosed by radomes of varying permittivities