Attenuation apparatus for minimizing reflections of electromagnetic energy from an antenna disposed within a radome

An attenuation apparatus adapted for use under a radome, wherein the radome is disposed on an exterior surface of a mobile platform and encloses a mechanically scanned antenna, for absorbing and reflecting electromagnetic radiation radiated from said antenna away from said mobile platform, said attenuation apparatus comprising:

• an angled wall at least substantially circumscribing said mechanically scanned antenna and disposed adjacent said exterior surface, and extending at an angle so as to diverge from said exterior surface of said mobile platform;
• said angled wall operating to reflect a portion of electromagnetic energy radiated from said mechanically scanned antenna when said antenna is radiating said energy at a predetermined scan angle which would result in a portion of said energy being reflected by said radome back toward said mobile platform;
• and
• said angled wall operating to reflect said portion of said energy toward an interior surface of said radome such that said portion of said energy impinges said radome at an angle generally normal to said interior surface of said radome, to thereby maximize the likelihood of said portion of said energy passing through said radome without being further reflected back toward said mobile platform.

An attenuation apparatus adapted for use under a radome, wherein the radome is disposed on an exterior surface of a vehicle and encloses at least one antenna, for reflecting electromagnetic radiation radiated from said antenna away from said vehicle, said attenuation apparatus comprising:

• a member disposed adjacent said exterior surface of said vehicle;
• an angled wall circumscribing said member and extending at an angle relative to said member;
• said angled wall and said angle operating to reflect a first portion of electromagnetic energy radiated from said antenna when said antenna is radiating said energy at a predetermined scan angle which would result in a first portion of said energy being reflected by said radome back toward said vehicle;
• said angled wall operating to reflect said first portion of said energy toward an interior surface of said radome such that said first portion of said energy impinges said radome at an angle generally normal to said interior surface, to thereby maximize the likelihood of said first portion of said energy passing through said radome without being further reflected back toward said vehicle;
• and
• said member having a corrugated surface shape operating to substantially attenuate a second portion of said electromagnetic energy.

A radiated energy absorption system mountable on a mobile platform, comprising:

• a radome disposed on one of an exterior surface of said mobile platform;
• a mechanically scanned antenna disposed within said radome;
• a support assembly connectably joining said radome to said exterior surface, and having a first surface extending at an angle relative to a portion of said exterior surface so as to absorb a first portion of electromagnetic energy radiated from said antenna when said antenna is radiating said energy at a predetermined scan angle;
• and
• said support assembly having a second surface further operating to reflect a second portion of electromagnetic energy away from said exterior surface at an angle to thereby minimize the possibility of said second portion of electromagnetic energy being further reflected by said radome.

A method for reducing the reflection of electromagnetic radiation into a mobile platform from a mechanically scanned antenna mounted within a radome, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is at least partially reflected by the radome back toward the mobile platform on which the radome and the antenna assembly are mounted, said method comprising the steps of:

• locating an angled wall adjacent to a surface of the mobile platform and peripherally circumscribing at least a portion of said antenna such that the angled wall intercepts a portion of said electromagnetic energy radiated from the antenna and reflected by the radome back toward the mobile platform;
• mechanically scanning said antenna such that a portion of the electromagnetic energy reflects toward the angled wall;
• and
• using the angled wall to redirect the portion of the electromagnetic energy reflected by the randome back toward the radome at an angle relative to the radome which reduces the possibilty of the portion of the energy again being reflected by the radome back toward the mobile platform.