Patent ID: 11476568

Abstract:
A radome and a method for manufacturing same. A radome apparatus (10) has a radome body (12) having an aperture (14), a film (16) covering the aperture, and a support (18) installed into the aperture. The film and the support have a low loss at a desired operating frequency. The support provides backing, support, and rigidity for the film so that distortion of the film by weather conditions, such as wind, is reduced. Thus, the integrity of the RF transmission characteristics of the radome are preserved. The aperture, film, and support are in the boresight of an antenna (20, 28) and are large enough to accommodate a desired beam steering range. The radome body may be manufactured with the aperture and the film included therein by using an in-mold labeling process. The support may be installed in the aperture by a subsequent molding process.