Effect of a surface resin layer covering the radiating patch on performance of a three dimensional integrated microstrip antenna

Abstract

A three dimensional integrated microstrip antenna (3DIMA) is woven into a 3D orthogonal woven composite to possess load-bearing capability while functioning as an antenna. In this article, the effect of a 1 mm resin layer on the radiating patch of a 3DIMA on its performance is investigated using both simulation and experimental methods. The simulation work is performed using the antenna simulation software before fabrication. The 3DIMAs with and without a resin layer are designed, manufactured, and tested. The results show that the resonant frequency and the gain value of the 3DIMAs with a resin layer on its radiating patch are 1.36 GHz and —3.6 dB, while those of the 3DIMAs without the resin layer are 1.41 GHz and 0.5 dB. This indicates that a resin layer on the radiating patch may hinder the performance of composite antennas and therefore should be minimized.

Keywords

microstrip antenna composite simulation VARTM dielectric constant

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