Hybrid Dielectric–Metadome Structures Modelled via 2‐D Ray Tracing and Physical Optics

ABSTRACT

This study introduces a hybrid dome structure that combines a dielectric lens (DL) and a metadome (MD) to enhance the scanning capabilities of phased array antennas (PAAs). These configurations show great potential for improving the scanning capacity of PAAs with a lightweight dome while allowing a broad frequency range. Since traditional full‐wave simulations of such electrically large structures are computationally intensive and time‐consuming, the radiation characteristics of hybrid dome structures are analysed using a simplified two‐dimensional (2‐D) ray‐tracing and physical‐optics (RT‐PO) model. This RT‐PO model enables precise computation of the radiation pattern in a principal plane using much less computational resources than full‐wave simulations. The RT‐PO model is validated by comparing it with full‐wave simulations of hybrid domes featuring practical metaelements. The novelty of this work lies in the validation of the hybrid dome concept and the use of a simplified 2‐D RT‐PO model that facilitates rapid analysis/design tasks. The hybrid dome is found to be an effective solution to extend the scanning range of PAAs and this integrated system is highly suitable for a wide range of uses in emerging beam‐scanning antenna technologies.