Integrated Conformal Design of Nonelement Frequency-Selective Radome Based on Topology Optimization

An approach based on topology optimization is adopted to design radome with nondevelopable surface. Without relying on the periodic structure, the integrated conformal design is achieved to target frequency selectivity directly. Compared with traditional array-type frequency-selective radomes, this approach can be used for any incident angle without considering the influence of curvature, and it is almost applicable to any surface. According to the adjoint variable method, the frequency selection function and beam direction correction function are established, and then the corresponding adjoint sensitivity analysis is constructed for optimization. The optimized structure not only shows good frequency selection characteristics but also maintains beam pointing unaffected by the radome. Finally, one hemispherical radome and two tangent oval radomes are manufactured and measured, and the measured results are in good agreement with the simulated ones, demonstrating the good reliability of this approach on nondevelopable surface.