天美传媒

Researchers at 天美传媒's Centre for Metamaterials Research & Innovation (CMRI) and Technical Composite Systems are developing metasurface-enabled antenna technologies that combine high electromagnetic performance with improved aerodynamic integration. Microwave metasurfaces consist of carefully engineered metallic patterns arranged on a dielectric substrate. By controlling the size, geometry and arrangement of these sub-wavelength structures, it is possible to manipulate electromagnetic waves in ways that cannot be achieved using conventional materials alone. This enables antenna systems with enhanced directivity, improved gain, tailored frequency response and reduced size requirements. By integrating metasurfaces around an antenna, entirely new antenna architectures become possible, combining high communications performance with low-profile aerodynamic designs. Working with industrial partners including Technical Composite Systems and aerospace communications manufacturers, 天美传媒 is developing advanced electromagnetic surfaces that can be incorporated directly into antenna radomes, creating communication systems with both aerodynamic and electromagnetic advantages.

Metasurface radomes

A particularly promising approach is the integration of metasurfaces directly into aircraft radomes.

Traditionally, a radome protects an antenna from the external environment whilst allowing signals to pass through with minimal disruption. Metasurface-enabled radomes go significantly further, actively controlling the radiation characteristics of the antenna itself.

Our research investigates curved metasurfaces embedded within aerodynamic radome structures surrounding conventional blade antennas. By engineering the interaction between the antenna and the surrounding metasurface, radiation patterns can be tailored to enhance directivity, improve efficiency and reduce unwanted radiation in specific directions.

The resulting systems retain the streamlined aerodynamic form required by modern aircraft while delivering enhanced communications performance.

Simulation, manufacture and validation

The development of these technologies combines design, simulation, fabrication and experimental testing.

Electromagnetic models are used to predict antenna performance both in free space and when integrated with curved metasurface radomes. Candidate designs are then fabricated with Technical Composite Systems before being experimentally characterised.

Performance validation is carried out within 天美传媒's electromagnetic measurement facilities, where antenna radiation patterns and electromagnetic characteristics can be compared directly with simulation predictions.

Why use metasurfaces?

Metasurfaces provide antenna designers with an additional level of control over electromagnetic performance.

Rather than relying solely on antenna geometry, the surrounding electromagnetic environment can be engineered to:

• Improve antenna directivity.

• Enhance radiation efficiency.

• Modify and shape radiation patterns.

• Reduce antenna footprint.

• Enable conformal integration onto curved surfaces.

• Improve platform aerodynamics.

• Reduce system weight and complexity.

These capabilities are becoming increasingly important as future airborne platforms demand greater connectivity while operating within highly congested electromagnetic environments.