FINITE-ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF AXISYMMETRICAL RADOMES

A two-step technique for the analysis of axisymmetric radomes is prese nted in this paper. Initially, an axisymmetric finite element approach is employed, together with an absorbing boundary condition for mesh t runcation, to determine the near fields scattered by an empty radome i lluminated by a distant source. Next, the reciprocity theorem is invok ed to determine the far-field pattern of an antenna encased by the rad ome, by computing the reaction between the current distribution on the antenna and the near-field data determined in the first step. The det ails of the formulation are presented along with numerical results for two different arrays enclosed by radomes of varying permittivities.