Innovative Methodology to Improve Flexible Antenna Percentage V-folding Performance

Abstract

The folding antennas are anticipated to become mandatory because of integration necessity according to communication object shapes. The effect of folded antennas on electromagnetic (EM) radiation is an open question for RF and microwave wireless engineers. An innovative approach to explore the flexible patch antenna (FPA) parameters through V-folding analysis is addressed for this problem. This paper is focused on the methodological approach of the FPA study by considering an innovative V-folding behavior compared to the classical flat condition. As a proof-of-concept, FPA prototypes are designed on a Kapton substrate, simulated, fabricated, and tested. A non-shifting operating frequency is achieved at 3.4 GHz for all percentage-wise folding with a flat (unfold) bandwidth about 360.8 MHz with good acceptable performance. The FPA performance prediction as reflection coefficient, efficiency, gain, and directivity versus forward and back V-folding percentage and angle are examined. The obtained result can be exploited to predict the V-folding effect on the communication performances of transceiver systems like radar, satellite, and multimedia applications.