IWR1642: Radome material

John Booth

Part Number: IWR1642

Hi,

Is there any advice for radome material that can be put in front of the antenna for minimum transmission loss?

Ideally I'm looking for technical information on plastic type, dielectric constant etc? This issue must be effecting everybody looking at these chips but I can't find any conclusive answers on the forums or TI datasheets.

Thanks

over 7 years ago

0 Akash Gondalia over 7 years ago

TI__Guru 50240 points

Hi John,

This is a question which I do not have an immediate answer for. I will need to get some information from our antenna experts and get back to you.

Cheers,
Akash

0 John Booth over 7 years ago in reply to Akash Gondalia

Intellectual 490 points

Thanks, any info you are able to get from the antenna experts would be great.

Best regards
John

0 Akash Gondalia over 7 years ago in reply to John Booth

TI__Guru 50240 points

Hi John,

I apologize for the delay but I am still obtaining information. I should have an appropriate response for you by the end of the week.

Cheers,
Akash

0 John Booth over 7 years ago in reply to Akash Gondalia

Intellectual 490 points

Hi Akash,

I was wondering if you had any further news on this?

Thanks

0 Andy Yin over 7 years ago in reply to Akash Gondalia

TI__Genius 9390 points

Hi Akash,

Any update for the radome material recommendation? My customer also want to get such information, look forward to your reply asap.
Andy

0 CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B. over 7 years ago in reply to Andy Yin

TI__Mastermind 25835 points

Hello,

At high level, goal should be to get a wavelength in the material of n * λ/2, so that the Radome becomes nearly
“transparent" for the mmWave.
And λ= c/f√εr n=1,2,3...,λ=wavelength in dielectric
c = Speed of light.
f = Carrier frequency used.
εr = relative permittivity.

Material with lower Dk and Df (dielectric constant and loss tangent) are recommended. There are materials like Polycarbonate, Teflon® (PTFE ), Polystyrene materials available, but this need to be carefully selected without affecting mmWave front end performance.
Typically with Radome and Antenna simulations are done to see there is very little degradation in the Radiation pattern.

We are planning to come up with Application note later this year on this topic.

0 Peter Cheremisov over 7 years ago in reply to CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B.

Prodigy 110 points

Hi team.
How I make the simulation by myself? What the software I should use for?

0 CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B. over 7 years ago in reply to Peter Cheremisov

TI__Mastermind 25835 points

Hello,

The objective of an efficient Radome design is to reduce reflections at its surface and transmit the signal
with minimum loss and beam distortion. For a general-purpose enclosure that covers the radiating side of
the sensor, the material should have a uniform thickness and must also have a good surface smoothness.
In some cases, a Radome could be constructed as a lens that alters the beam characteristics intentionally.
Such Radoms/lens need to be designed using electro-magnetic simulation tools in conjunction with the
antenna.

For the simulation 3D electromagnetic solver based tools are used.
Commercially there are various tools are available, Popular ones are Ansoft's HFSS and CST's Microwave studios.

Thanks and regards,
CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B.

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IWR1642: Radome material