Effect of heterogeneity in additively manufactured dielectric structures on RF response of microstrip patch antennas

Abstract

Microstrip patch antennas with a tunable radiofrequency (RF) response are a great candidate for additive manufacturing (AM) process. First, three separate sets of ABS samples were created at three different machine preset fill densities using an extrusion based 3D printer. Once fabricated, actual solid volume fraction of each set of samples was measured using a 3D X‐ray computed tomography microscope. It is observed that the factory preset fill‐density values are only applied to the core region and actual solid volume fractions for each sample set are different from printer‐preset values. Also, the printed materials appeared to exhibit anisotropy such that the thickness direction dielectric properties are different from the in‐plane properties (planar isotropy). Microstrip patch antennas created on the AM fabricated ABS were tested for resonant frequencies using a vector network analyzer (VNA). The measured resonant frequencies combined with ANSYS‐HFSS simulation were used to estimate bulk dielectric constant of ABS and equivalent dielectric properties in planar and thickness directions. It is observed that the antenna resonant frequency decreases with an increase in core solid volume fraction. Also, in‐plane permittivity appeared to have minimal effect on antenna resonant frequency, while the thickness direction properties have substantial effects.

Radio frequency response of flexible microstrip patch antennas under compressive and bending loads using multiphysics modeling approach

“…24 Our group used this EM modeling scheme for patch antenna created on porous rigid substrates and compared with experimental results. 3,25 A good agreement was observed between the experimental and EM modeling results confirming the adopted numerical scheme. A 3D modeler window is utilized to model the object as shown in Figure 1.…”

“…Driven modal is selected as a solution type to calculate the mode‐ based S‐parameter of high frequency microstrip patch antenna . Our group used this EM modeling scheme for patch antenna created on porous rigid substrates and compared with experimental results . A good agreement was observed between the experimental and EM modeling results confirming the adopted numerical scheme.…”

“…Recently, microstrip patch antennas are being utilized widely in wireless communication because of its easy fabrication, low profile, light weight, low cost, and plays a significant role in discovering the characteristic of the system . Additionally, the ease of integration with integrated circuits makes the microstrip patch antenna an attractive planner structure that converts the electronic signal to electromagnetic (EM) waves . This system of communication can be used for structural health monitoring in domains such as construction, architecture, and aerospace in order to detect any potential damage wirelessly.…”

“…1,2 Additionally, the ease of integration with integrated circuits makes the microstrip patch antenna an attractive planner structure that converts the electronic signal to electromagnetic (EM) waves. 3,4 This system of communication can be used for structural health monitoring in domains such as construction, architecture, and aerospace in order to detect any potential damage wirelessly. This process increases the safety and overall reliability of the structure while simultaneously reducing maintenance costs.…”

Recent Advances in Performance‐Driven Surrogate Modeling of High‐Frequency Structures

“…Over the years, design of modern high-frequency structures has been increasingly dependent on full-wave electromagnetic (EM) analysis tools. EM simulation packages entered the level of sophistication that permits reliable evaluation of arbitrary geometries while taking into account various effects such as cross-coupling between system components 1 , dielectric anisotropy 2 , or the presence of installation fixtures and radomes 3 . It is a fact of the matter that the complexity of contemporary high-frequency devices leads to making larger and larger portions of the design process EM-driven.…”