Design and Analysis of Submarine Radome

Abstract

Submarine antenna is used for communication by RF system. It is protected by radomes. Radomes are the electromagnetic (EM) windows that protect microwave subsystems from the environmental effects. Low-observable radomes are usually made of E-glass/epoxy composite due to its low dielectric constant which is necessary not to interfere EM wave transmission characteristics. Aramid fibers have lower dielectric constant and higher strength than those of E-glass fiber. The dielectric strength constant and loss tangent were measured of the E-glass epoxy and aramid epoxy materials. Increasing the performance of antenna depends upon the proper selection of material to withstand under the water applications, composite materials owing to their high strength to weight ratio, high stiffness and better corrosion resistance are potential source for under water applications. ANSYS, a Finite Element software package was used to analyze the problem. The radome design and finite element analysis validation concluded by conducting the pressure test on radome. The modal analysis is also carried out on radome to check for the natural frequency of the radome. So that resonance does not occur if the natural frequency of the radome coincides with the excitation frequency of the submarine.