Broadband low radar cross section frequency selective surface radome based on phase cancellation and spatial filtering

Abstract

This letter introduces a novel design approach for broadband radar cross section (RCS) reduction of frequency selective surface (FSS) radomes. The approach integrates the principles of phase cancellation and spatial filtering together through a hybrid design method. The phase cancellation is obtained through the checkerboard arrangement of units, and the spatial filtering characteristics is achieved by the slot etched on the ground plane. Experimental and simulation results demonstrate that etching slots on the ground plane maintains broadband in-phase reflection and bandpass characteristics, thereby extending the bandwidth of RCS reduction through a combination of two operation bands. Theoretical analysis of the working mechanism is also provided using equivalent circuit models. In comparison to the conventional radomes, the proposed FSS radome achieves significant bandwidth improvement for RCS reduction, indicating that it has promising prospects in future low-RCS radome applications.