Experimental test of epoxy resin as a radome for patch antennas

In this paper, experimental tests are realized in order to probe the feasibility of the epoxy resin use as patch antenna radome. The interest in this material is due to its low cost and availability, two desirable characteristics for the prototypes fabrication. At first, it is analyzed the effect of three pieces of epoxy resin of different colors as interference objects between a receiver and a transmitter antenna, that means, their effect on the electromagnetic wave propagation. After, the measurements of S21 parameter were realized considering patch antennas with and without radome made of epoxy resin, in order to analyze the effect of the radome on the antenna performance. The obtained results allow us to confirm the feasibility of this material to cover the patch antenna, in order to protect them especially from the oxidation produced by the environment. Additionally, the use of colorant hides the antenna geometry to the user, which is desiderating for commercial purposes.