Behavioral characteristics of composite-antenna-structure covering three bands under compression load

Abstract

A composite-antenna-structure covering three bands of global positioning system (1.575 GHz), digital multimedia broadcasting (2.62 GHz) and direct broadcast satellite (11.7–13.5 GHz) was designed and fabricated as a part of the structure surfaces. A new concept of antennas integrated into a composite sandwich structure provides a design that is an electrically and structurally effective multi-functional antenna structure. We designed two types of antennas. One is an annular ring patch antenna for global positioning system and digital multimedia broadcasting. The other is a microstrip patch antenna for direct broadcast satellite. In the design process, the effects of the composites and adhesive films are considered for in the design processes, because structural materials affect the antenna performance. Additionally, the composite-antenna-structure was designed by considering the coupling effect in a strict substrate. The measured results of buckling tests have provided useful information regarding not only the compression behavioral characteristics but also its degradation in electrical performance before and after the test. The experimental results have shown good results for compressive tolerance, though the specimens after compression loading returns to their original shape before failure. Additionally, an acoustic emission system is implemented in the buckling test system to study the inner behavior of the composite-antenna-structure for the reliability of secure mechanical performance. The antenna performance, as measured by the return loss and radiation pattern, remained excellent after the compression tests. These electrical performance results suggest that antennas with composite laminates will function well despite damage.

Deformation analysis and experiments for functional surface of composite antenna structure

“…11,14,21,22,30 In addition, compressive load experiments were applied to investigate the mechanical and electrical performances, and the results show that the composite antenna will continue to function properly. 15 All of the investigations indicate that the composite antenna structure can meet the requirements of load-bearing and electromagnetic-radiating functions, despite local structure damages. However, there are hardly any works that study the structural and electromagnetic behaviors before the composite antenna structure is damaged.…”

“…Many researchers have contributed to the design and fabrication of the composite antenna structure, and proposed different concepts such as conformal load-bearing antenna, [2][3][4][5][6][7] smart skin antenna, [8][9][10] composite antenna structure, [11][12][13][14][15] multilayer surface antenna structure, 16,17 structurally integrated antenna, 18,19 three-dimensionally integrated microstrip antenna, [20][21][22][23][24] and so on. The basic configuration of these antenna structures is a sandwich construction consisting of facesheet, honeycomb core, and microstrip antennas or spiral antennas.…”

“…As a primary load-carrying component, the composite antenna structure is inevitably subjected to impacts, aerodynamic loads, and other loads under in-servicing conditions. The mechanical strength and stiffness of the composite antenna structure were evaluated by using static stress analysis, fatigue test, 8,16 compression test, 15 and bending test. 8,18,29 The radiating patterns were measured to assess the electrical performance after the composite antenna structure was subjected to a low-velocity impact.…”

Development and coupling analysis of active skin antenna

“…Many researchers have been dedicated to the design and fabrication of passive skin antennas, and proposed different concepts such as the conformal load-bearing antenna [4][5][6][7][8][9], smart skin antenna [3,10], composite-antenna-structure [11][12][13], multilayer surface antenna structure [14][15][16][17], structurally integrated antenna [1,18], three dimensionally integrated microstrip antenna [19][20][21][22][23], composite antenna array [13,24,25], and so on. Almost all past investigations have been dedicated to the design and fabrication of the passive skin antenna.…”

“…In addition, experimental studies were also applied to evaluate the effect of external loads on performance. The fatigue test [17], compression test [13], bending test [3,14], and lowvelocity impact test [4,12,25,26] were applied to evaluate the mechanical performance of the passive skin antenna, and then the damaged antenna was assessed in an anechoic chamber to determine electromagnetic performance. Experimental results showed that the passive skin antenna continued to function properly, despite degradation of electromagnetic performance.…”