VIRIDYN RO6/MX: Superhydrophobic Rain-Fade Prevention for LEO Flat Panel Antenna
The Challenge:
A global leader in satellite communication antenna systems faced performance challenges with their advanced flat panel antenna systems. These terminals operate in Ku and Ka-bands for low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations and serve critical maritime, land fixed, and land mobility applications.
The company’s engineering team identified several demanding requirements for protecting their flat panel antenna surfaces:
Rain Fade Mitigation: Reduce signal attenuation caused by water film formation during heavy rain conditions.
Harsh Environment Performance: Withstand heavy rain, snow, ice, temperature-humidity cycling, salt fog, UV light resistance, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, and cleaning/wash resistance.
Color Customisation: Ability to specify custom military-grade colours while maintaining superhydrophobic performance.
Application Simplicity: One-component formulation suitable for spray application on multiple antenna units.
Remediation & Restoration: Easy to deploy, fast acting kits for in-the-field remediation and restoration of antenna systems.
Rain fade is a critical issue for Ka and Ku-band satellite communications. When water films form on antenna surfaces during precipitation, they can cause signal attenuation of 10 dB or more on uncoated systems, compared to only 0.2 dB on properly coated systems. For flat panel antennas serving business-critical communications, cellular backhaul, maritime navigation, and government applications, this level of signal degradation was unacceptable.
The Solution:
ViriDyn and partners provided the manufacturer with VIRIDYN RO6, a one-component superhydrophobic coating specifically engineered for RF-transparent applications on flat panel antenna systems. The solution addressed each of the technical requirements:
Superior Hydrophobic Performance: RO6 delivers water contact angles greater than 130 degrees, with standard (Frosty-White) formulations achieving approximately 150 degrees. This performance ensures water beads up and rolls off the antenna surface, preventing water film formation that causes signal attenuation.
Military Standard RAL Color Options: ViriDyn offered VIRIDYN MX engineered RAL-standard colour formulations matching the manufacturer's specifications, enabling the antennas to meet military deployment requirements while maintaining exceptional superhydrophobic performance.
Simplified Application Process: As a one-component air-dry coating, RO6 can be applied by spray. The recommended cross-hatch pattern (left-to-right, up-and-down) ensures uniform coverage. The coating is heat-cured at 80°C for 5 minutes, then allowed to cure for 36 hours at ambient conditions before rain testing.
Comprehensive Testing Protocol: ViriDyn and Cytonix collaborated with the manufacturer to develop a rigorous testing program.
Sample Delivery for Field Testing: ViriDyn coordinated international sample delivery to the manufacturer's facilities.
Superhydrophobic Kit for In-the-Field Restoration: ViriDyn developed a one-component restoration kit enabling field technicians to quickly reapply superhydrophobic protection to antenna surfaces without specialised equipment or factory-level facilities.
The solution demonstrates ViriDyn's commitment to working hand-in-hand with telecommunications equipment manufacturers to create customised coating solutions that meet the most demanding environmental and performance requirements.
ViriDyn works closely with satellite antenna and telecommunications equipment manufacturers to create RF-transparent, superhydrophobic surface protection solutions that reduce rain fade, minimise signal loss, and ensure reliable performance in the harshest environmental conditions.
To speak with a ViriDyn engineer, please contact us or request a product sample.
VIRIDYN RO-Series: Technical Data Sheet
VIRIDYN MX (Military Standard RAL Colours): Technical Data Sheet