In this thesis, the properties of the metamaterials are studied. We analyze and discuss the artificial structure called metamaterials. The the effects on the radiation pattern and antenna gain are discussed when the structure is placed above the antenna. First, the propagation of electromagnetic wave in metamaterials is discussed. The metamaterial composed of metal rod array and split-ring is introduced. Next, the effects on permittivity, permeability and refraction index are studied when the structure parameters are changing. Thirdly, according to the above-mentioned summary, we use the structures to achieve an antenna radome. The radome can reduce 3 dB beam-width by about 31.25 percent at 10.75 GHz. The maximum gain achieves 7.25 dBi. In the fourth part, we also discusse the method of reducing the frequency band where negative refraction index occurs. The metamaterial is used to be a radome at the lower frequency band. The maximum gain is about 7.87 dBi. The 3 dB beam-width reduces by about 37.25 percent by the radome structure. Fifthly, the methods of improving the bandwidth are discussed when the antenna radome over the antenna . The enhancement of the antenna performance can be applied to the point-to-point communication. It also can save the cost of the feed network and the numbers of array antenna.

In this thesis, we described our efforts to achieve antenna radomes that enhance antenna gain by using the artificial synthesis structure of the left-handed material. The characteristics of the metamaterial are introduced. Also, we will analyze the phenomena of the left-handed material which distinguish them from the right-handed material. Moreover, we analyze and derive the theory to obtain the effect of the meta-materials with the metal line artificial synthesis array structure. Then, we will focus on the method of lowering the frequency of the left-handed material structure and discuss the frequency influence of the permeability, permittivity, and refractive index as the modulus of the refractive index is smaller than one or negative. We will adjust the structure to allow a wider useful frequency bandwidth. In order to prevent from the reflection of the metal lines to cause too much loss, we will simplify the structure of the single unit. Making use of the above-mentioned methods, we use the material to achieve an antenna radome. The meta-material radome can reduce the 3 dB beam-width by about 30 percent compared with the conformal patch at 5.25 GHz. Finally, we design a novel structure of unit cell based on the CSRR which is provided with a broadband negative index of refraction. The relative bandwidth of the LHM proposed in this thesis is 36.5%. In order to reduce loss tangent we remove the dielectric substrate, which further reduce the 3 dB beam-width.

In the thesis, we designed a metamaterial radome to increase the antenna gain. Owing to the need of high-directivity radiation in fix-point communications, antenna array and reflective antenna had been used to increase the directivity of antenna traditionally. Complicated feed and huge antenna size are the disadvantages of these techniques. We proposed a simpler metamaterial radome to increase the antenna gain. We find the subwavelength-hole structure formed by four Jerusalem cross structures can collimate electromagnetic wave originally spreading out from the holes. With the same size, multiple subwavelength holes in metamaterial radome can further enhance the antenna gain. We showed that metamaterial radome with 9 subwavelength holes can improve the gain by about 3.5 dB. In addition, we applied the concept of Fabry-Perot Cavity (FPC) to find the suitable distance between the radome and the antenna. When the resulting electromagnetic waves are in-phase, the radome can increase the antenna gain effectively. Recently, high-directivity radiation in fix-point communications is required and in the meantime multi-mode communication systems have become more and more popular. For practical purposes, we designed a coplanar dual-band metamaterial radome to be operated at 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz for WiMAX. This structure allows adjustment of its characteristics independently at each band. This coplanar dual-band radome can enhance the antenna gain by about 1.74 dB and 2.08 dB at 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz, respectively.

The performance advances of radar-guided missiles have created a need for radome materials with improved strength, toughness, and thermal shock capabilities. Zirconium phosphate bonded silicon nitride (Zr-PBSN), which has a low and thermally stable dielectric constant, high rain erosion resistance and a low-cost processing method, has been developed for radome applications in advanced tactical missiles. Pressureless sintering reduces processing costs, but is untried for radome manufacturing. The tendency for catastrophic failure requires that each radome fabricated with this material/method be inspected for defects prior to use. Visible, thermographic and ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods have been tested with Zr-PBSN discs containing fabricated flaws likely to be present in a radome. Ultrasonic C-scanning using a 0.25" diameter, 15 MHz focused transducer with a pulse-echo configuration was clearly superior at detecting cracks, delaminations, impurities, voids and porosity variation. A method for determining local porosity via the longitudinal elastic wave velocity was developed and can be incorporated into an ultrasonic scanning system. A system that uses a computer to perform all motion control, data acquisition, and data manipulation, but requiring a skilled operator for scan setup and interpretation of the data has been proposed. / Master of Science

In this thesis, we introduce a LHM (Left-Handed Material) with both negative permittivity and permeability. Improvement of gain antenna is achieved by utilizing the characteristics of the LHM which can focus the EM wave. We start with an analysis of electromagnetic characteristic of LHM, especially its negative index of refraction. Structures with only negative permittivity or negative permeability are also analyzed. Then, we design the structure of LHM that can reduce the sensitivity of S11 of an antenna. So that the antenna operating frequency is not changed even in the presence of the LHM. The LHM unit cell structure comes from the idea by combination of two basic SNG (Single Negative) structure. We design a unit cell whose index of refraction is negative and close to zero. Further, we combine LHM and antenna. Simulation and measurement results show that the LHM is effective. The reflection coefficient of antenna does not change much by the combination of proposed LHM. The half power beam¡Ðwidth of antenna become narrower. The antenna gain improvement can be about 3 dB or higher. Finally, the LHM has been miniaturized successfully, resulting in reduction in size by about 50%. Comparing simulation and measurement, we find the LHM is still effective. A dipole antenna is used to verify out design. The antenna gain has been enhanced and the reflection coefficient does not change much.

Owing to the need of high-directivity radiation in fix-point communication, this thesis designs the metamaterial with 4-fold rotational symmetric unitcells. Using their nearing-zero refractive index along two polarizations, we can get gain-enhanced antenna radomes and place them above dual- and circular-polarized antenna to verify our idea. It is known that the group delay variation in a communication system causes the degradation of symbol error rate, and positive group delay (GD) causes delay in signal propagation. Therefore, this research studies the negative group delay (NGD) behavior of metamaterial. Through analyzing the GD of metamaterial equivalent circuit caused by poles and zeros, we design a novel NGD bandpass circuit. Furthermore, this thesis develops graphic method for group delay investigatiion and study the relationship between NGD, loss and gain in order to simplify the design of GD compensation circuit.

No description available.

<p dir="ltr">Antennas are used to transmit communication signals for many applications including for the navigation of aircraft. To protect the antennas from environmental conditions electromagnetic transparent structures called radomes are used. Advancements in technology have led to the development of hypersonic flight vehicles. These aircraft travel at speeds of Mach 5 and greater subjecting them to extreme environmental conditions. These aircraft require precise navigation making it important to have radome materials that can withstand the extreme conditions of high-speed flight while maintaining transparency to the incoming and outgoing signals of the antenna. Silicon nitride is a ceramic material of interest for high temperature radomes due to its mechanical properties, temperature stability, and satisfactory dielectric properties. Incorporating porosity into silicon nitride further enhances the transmission performance making porous silicon nitride a leading candidate material for high temperature radomes. In this dissertation slip casting with pressureless sintering is proposed as a route to fabricate porous silicon nitride ceramics for radomes. Modification of sintering aids and sintering temperatures are explored as a method to control the amount of porosity. Mechanical properties and dielectric properties of these materials are investigated. </p><p dir="ltr">First, an aqueous silicon nitride suspension developed for slip casting was optimized by investigating the rheological properties, zeta potential, and sedimentation behavior. It was determined that a suspension with 30 vol% solids, 0.5 wt% dispersant (PEI), and a pH of 7 was the optimized condition that resulted in uniform cast parts. This optimized suspension was used to fabricate silicon nitride samples with yttria and alumina sintering aids. An average density of 93% with an average strength of 659 MPa at room temperature and a strength of 472 MPa maintained up to 1200°C was achieved. Dielectric constant and loss tangent were measured on samples with 4-17% porosity to be 5.85-7.70 and <0.02, respectively. </p><p dir="ltr">To create samples with higher levels of porosity and therefore lower dielectric constants the yttria and alumina sintering aids were replaced with ytterbium oxide. Ytterbium oxide assists in forming porous silicon nitride due to the high melting temperature and high viscosity of the resulting glassy phase. Slip cast samples with 5% Yb₂O₃ were sintered at temperatures of 1700-1850°C resulting in porosities of 21-32% and strengths of 267-445 MPa. The dielectric constants of these materials were measured to be 4.56-5.80 with average loss tangents <0.006. The amount of ytterbium oxide was also studied to determine the effects on density, microstructure, mechanical properties, and dielectric properties. Slip-cast samples with 5-15% Yb₂O₃ were made having average porosities of 23-36% and strengths of 275-421 MPa. The dielectric constants of these materials were measured to be 4.13-4.65 with average loss tangents of <0.007. </p><p dir="ltr">Lastly, slip casting using the previously developed and evaluated suspensions was done to fabricate various radome shapes as well as layered structures. The processing method presented in this dissertation shows the potential for fabricating porous silicon nitride for high temperature radome applications with controlled porosity and relatively high strengths.</p>

New technology in radar opens up new possibilities for cheap and easily integrated human body presence detection. In this work, we aim to make a proof of concept that replaces the "dead man’s grip" on an electric surfboard with a more convenient wireless system based on micro radars. To answer the research questions identified, an artifact was created. To guide the research process and ensure that rigorous methods are used for constructing and evaluating the artifact, this thesis employs the research paradigm Design Science Research. The result was that the radar signal is completely degraded without a radome when the radar is wet. With a radome, the signal strength is a third wet compared to dry. Therefore, a radome is required to protect the radar and its function from the elements. The need for blockage detection was also defined. Observing how the direct leakage signal deviates from its normal state can determine whether the sensor is being blocked. Several algorithms were developed and tuned to prove the concept. Coverage and detection speed was tested and optimized. Overall, the potential of micro radars to replace a dead man’s grip on a surfboard is very promising. / Ny radarteknik öppnar nya möjligheter för billig och lättintegrerad upptäckt av människokroppens närvaro. I det här arbetet vill vi göra ett konceptbevis som ersätter "dödmansgreppet" på en elektrisk surfbräda med ett bekvämare trådlöst system baserat på mikroradar. För att besvara de identifierade forskningsfrågorna skapades en artefakt. För att vägleda forskningsprocessen och se till att rigorösa metoder används för att konstruera och utvärdera artefakten används forskningsparadigmet Design Science Research i denna avhandling.  Resultatet var att radarsignalen försämras fullständigt utan radom när radarn är våt. Med en radome är signalstyrkan en tredjedel våt jämfört med torr. Därför krävs en radome för att skydda radarn och dess funktion från väder och vind. Behovet av blockaddetektering definierades också. Genom att observera hur den direkta läckagesignalen avviker från sitt normala tillstånd kan man avgöra om sensorn är blockerad. Flera algoritmer utvecklades och justerades för att bevisa konceptet. Täckning och detektionshastighet testades och optimerades. På det hela taget ser mikroradarns potential att ersätta dödmansgrepp på en surfbräda mycket lovande ut.

In recent years, there has been a huge increase in the use of satellite communications. This has led to a need for more capacity, which can be solved by moving towards higher frequency bands in search of higher bandwidths. However, the use of higher frequencies entails higher link losses, which makes it essential to use highly directional and steerable antennas. Traditionally, phased array antennas have been used for this kind of application. Nevertheless, they have a limitation in the maximum scan angle due to their effective aperture, which causes a gain reduction following the cosine of the scanning angle. A way of improving the scan range is to add a dielectric radome on top of the array. However, high computational times are needed to simulate this kind of structure using full-wave simulations. For this reason, the first part of this work is focused on adapting and improving an in-house Ray Tracing tool for the particular application under study. The tool computes the path the rays follow from the array to the aperture of the radome using geometric optics, then calculates the amplitude of the electric field at the aperture using ray tube theory, and finally determines the antenna’s radiation pattern using Kirchhoff’s diffraction formula. Moreover, some features have been added to the code to be able to compute the directivity, calculate the absorption and reflection losses, simulate multilayer radomes, and change the array elements’ radiation patterns. A model in Comsol has been developed to validate the results obtained using the Ray Tracing tool and all its added features. Finally, several optimizations have been carried out to increase the scanning range while maintaining a maximum height, and ensuring it complies with the regulatory masks for satellite communications. The optimizations have been performed both using a Particle Swarm Optimizer and manually. / Under de senaste åren har det skett en stor ökning av satellitkommunikations användning. Detta har lett till ett behov för högre kapacitet, vilket kan lösas genom att flytta till högre frekvensband på jakt efter högre bandbredder. Högre bandbredder innebär dock högre länkförluster som gör det oumbärligt att utnyttja rikt- och styrbara antenner. Ursprungligen har fasstyrda antenner använts för denna typ av tillämpning. Ändå finns en begränsning av den maximala skanningsvinkeln på grund av deras effektiva yta som leder till en minskning av förstärkning som är beroende på avsökningsvinkelns cosinus. För att kunna förbättra skanningsintervallen skulle man kunna lägga till en dielektrisk radom ovanpå arrayen. Höga beräkningstider krävs dock att simulera strukturen med helvågssimuleringar. Av denna anledning fokuserar den första delen av denna uppsats att anpassa och förbättra ett internt strålspårnings verktyg för den särskilda applikationen under studie. Verktyget beräknar vägen strålarna tar ifrån arrayen till radomens öppning med hjälp av geometrisk optik, därefter kalkyleras det elektriska fältets amplitud enligt strålrörsteori och till sist fastställs antennens strålningsmönster som definieras av Kirchhoffs diffraktionsformel. Dessutom har vissa funktioner lagts till i koden för att kunna beräkna riktningen, absorptions- och reflektionsförlusterna, simulera flerskiktsradomer och ändra arrayelementens strålningsmönster. En modell i Comsol har utvecklats för att validera resultaten som producerades av strålspårning verktyget och alla dess extra funktioner. Till sist, flera optimeringar har genomförts för att öka skanningsområdet som kan bibehålla en maximal höjd och säkerställa efterlevnaden med regleringsmaskerna för satellitkommunikationerna. Optimeringarna har utförts både manuellt och med hjälp av en partikelsvärmoptimerare. / En els últims anys hi ha hagut un increment majúscul en l’ús de les comunicacions per satèl·lit. Això s’ha traduït en la necessitat de més capacitat, la qual pot ser coberta si ens movem cap a bandes de freqüència més altes, buscant un major ample de banda. Tot i això, l’ús de freqüències més elevades comporta unes majors pèrdues en l’enllaç, les quals fan essencial l’ús d’antenes altament directives i amb capacitat d’escaneig. Tradicionalment, els arranjaments d’antenes de fase gradual han estat utilitzats per aquest tipus d’aplicacions. Tanmateix, tenen una limitació del màxim angle d’escaneig a causa de la seva obertura efectiva, la qual causa una reducció del guany seguint el cosinus de l’angle d’escaneig. Una manera de millorar el rang d’escaneig és afegint un radom dielèctric al damunt de l’arranjament d’antenes. No obstant això, es necessita un alt temps de computació per simular aquest tipus d’estructures amb simuladors d’ona completa. Per aquesta raó, la primera part d’aquest treball està enfocada a adaptar i perfeccionar una eina de traçat de rajos pròpia per l’aplicació en estudi. L’eina calcula el camí que els rajos segueixen des de l’arranjament d’antenes fins a l’obertura del radom utilitzant òptica geomètrica, a continuació computa l’amplitud del camp elèctric a l’obertura mitjançant la teoria del tub de rajos i finalment determina el patró de radiació de l’antena utilitzant la fórmula de difracció de Kirchhoff. Addicionalment, algunes funcions han estat afegides al codi per tal de poder computar la directivitat, calcular les pèrdues d’absorció i reflexió, simular radoms multicapa i canviar els patrons de radiació dels elements de l’arranjament. Un model en Comsol ha estat desenvolupat per tal de validar els resultats obtinguts emprant l’eina de traçat de rajos i totes les seves funcions. Finalment, vàries optimitzacions han estat dutes a terme per tal d’incrementar el rang d’escaneig mantenint una altura màxima i assegurant que es compleix amb les màscares reguladores de comunicacions per satèl·lit. Les optimitzacions han estat realitzades utilitzant tant un optimitzador per eixam de partícules com manualment.