Tods - Radomes

Tods design and manufacture a wide range of electromagnetically tuned composite structures as self supporting enclosures to protect delicate electrical installations for Military and Commercial installations.

Providing extreme weather protection from the ravages of the Arctic, the heat and humidity of the jungle, and the abrasive effects of wind borne sand and hail, Tods radomes allow stable radar equipment operation by creating a low maintenance environment.

General design criteria can be summarised as;

100 mm rain / hr
250 mm snow
Solar radiation 1120w/m2
0-100% relative humidity
Sand and dust resistance
15m/sec gust resistance

Maintaining structural and environmental integrity, in practice, is balanced against the need to minimise any degradation of the antenna performance due to energy loss through the fabric of the radome.

Radome Construction

The structural design of Tods radomes provides a wide range of different geometries.

Geodesic panel design
Quasi random panel geometry
Orange segment geometry
Dielectric space frame construction

Each radome design may have particular requirements for the panel attachments and sealing requirements.

Overlap joints
Inward turning flanges
Cupola windows
Porches and access doors
Composite walls and plinths

Radome production methods are selected according to particular materials and design constraints.

Pre-preg
Vacuum infusion
Hand Lamination

Tods radomes normally externally finished with a gel coat, which is resistant to UV radiation. This eliminates the need for painting, and enhances the weather resistance. The entire material construction is naturally fire retardant.

Radome Electrical Design

Tods preferred radome skin design utilise a sandwich construction of a closed cell foam core with internal and external GRP skins. This provides high structural strength and the ability to tune the electromagnetic properties of the radome by varying the cross sectional thickness.

The principles employed for accurate electromagnetic design include the use of verified Tods codes such as ETRANS and RAPS.

The scattering of electromagnetic waves by the radome joints between panels is modelled by IFR (Induced Field Ratio) methods assessing the far-field scattered energy and distortion of the antenna patterns.

FDTD (Finite Difference Time Domain) methods are used to verify the above models and to provide detailed information on how the joints interact with the propagating radar wave.

Typical analysis output will include;

RMS boresight error
Cross polar scattered energy
Beamwidth change

Radome Installation

Radomes are supplied to customers with an extensive range of accessories and safety equipment.

Air conditioning / dehumidifiers
Specific lightning protection
Obstruction lights
Ladders, hoists
Internal and external access walkways
Safety rails
Porches and external doors
Emergency access and exit
Snow ropes
Roof vents and cowls

Installation is undertaken by trained Tods personnel, working closely with the customer and the particular needs of the site and its safety.

Project managed
Minimal personnel
Lifting and Scaffolding where necessary