Optimum Pattern of Heater Element for Radome Achieving Enough Heating Ability and Millimeter Wave Transmissivity

Abstract

The deposition of snow on the radome surface, which significantly lowers the millimeter wave transmissivity, is a big problem for millimeter wave radar systems. The installation of a heater near the radome surface is an effective solution. However, electric conductivity of heater elements inevitably lowers the transmissivity. We tested various heater patterns and evaluated their effect on the transmissivity at 76.5 GHz. Heater patterns were fabricated on polycarbonate plates using a silver paste with a sheet resistivity of 0.2 Ω/square. We have succeeded in finding heater patterns having both sufficient heating and transmitting properties.