Exel Composites has secured an extension to a design patent in Finland for antenna radomes. The move broadens its intellectual property to include a new, discontinuous technique that incorporates a range of functional zones in the radomes.
This design is optimized for all frequency bands used in mmWave telecommunications. As well as enhancing the performance of existing 5G technology, the layered manufacturing technique also provides superior structural possibilities for other industries such as transportation, construction, and more.
The previous iteration of the patent covered radomes that feature signal windows, which allow uninterrupted transmission. The patented technology adds discrete material elements to form ‘functional zones’ inside the material. These functional zones can be reinforced structural parts, insulating sections, and radio frequency (RF) transparent areas among others.
Exel achieves these zones by sandwiching different materials such as RF transparent foam in a fiberglass skin. This method optimizes the skin’s thickness and distance from the foam core to minimize signal loss and reflection.
Previously, when the profiles were cut from the continuous output, their edges were exposed to humidity. This technique provides additional reinforcement applied to the areas to be cut. The foam inside is protected from moisture as well as impact damage.
These discrete additions further optimize the properties that composite materials are known for. Glass fiber profiles are very lightweight and have great longitudinal stiffness. Bonding transverse directional stiffeners on top of the profile would make the end product heavier but this new ability to add additional internal strengthening material negates that problem.
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08 October 2024
