Resistive ink based polarization and incident angle independent wideband absorber for RCS reduction at KU and K band

Abstract

In this paper, a thin, single layered, wideband, polarization-insensitive, frequency selective surface absorber for radar cross section reduction (RCS) at KU and K bands has been studied analytically and experimentally. The lossy resistive patterns on unit cell is printed using resistive ink and arranged periodically over a low-cost metal-backed FR-4 dielectric substrate. Through appropriate design and optimization, the proposed absorber demonstrates above 90 % absorption for broadband ranging from 15 GHz to 26.6 GHz, with multi-absorption peaks at 15.7, 18.5, and 22.9 GHz. The structure shows a high absorptivity of 96.8 % in the KU band and 95.7 %, and 99.3 % in the K band at the above mentioned frequencies. A fractional bandwidth of 55.8 % has been obtained at the expense of a thickness of 0.0835 λ1 (λ1 being the wavelength associated with the lower absorbing frequency). The absorption mechanism has been described with the help of surface current distribution, induced electric field, and equivalent circuit. Further, for both TE and TM waves, analysis of various polarization angles and oblique incidence angles have been investigated. It shows polarization insensitivity to normal incidence and a stable response up to 60° for oblique incidence to TM wave. The proposed absorber’s novelty comes through its thin, single-layered structure with wide band response at the KU and K frequency bands via a unique resistive ink pattern on a low cost FR-4. A prototype of the absorber has been fabricated and measured results have been validated with simulated results. A proposed single layered, wideband, thin, polarization, and angular stable absorber using resistive ink is commercially viable for RCS reduction applications at the KU and K band.