Additive Manufacturing for Antenna Applications

Abstract

This chapter describes the results of additive manufacturing (AM) for a multi-band antenna that effectively replaces two with a single footprint. The antenna achieves distinct modes of operation by achieving flexibility between horizontal and vertical polarizations on transmit and receive at both S-band and X-band frequencies. Low dielectric constants of commercial AM materials limit current AM antenna designs. Research into the composition of high-dielectric feedstocks for AM opens the design space for 3D printed hybrid material antennas. We compare the performance of an AM antenna to the same prototype using traditional methods and materials.