Magneto‐Mechano‐Electric Antenna for Portable VLF Transmission

Abstract

Wireless communication has always been an indispensable element in the modern information‐based society. Beyond the commercial electrical antenna, very low frequency (VLF) mechanical antennas have recently become research hotspot since their combination of miniaturization and favorable radiation efficiency in lossy electrically conductive environments. However, their usage is challenged due to the relatively limited radiation capability and modulation bandwidth. This study demonstrates an improved high‐efficiency magnetoelectric (ME) mechanical antenna based on the magneto‐mechano‐electric (MME) effect, realized via the synergistic effect of piezo‐driven magnets motion and converse magnetoelectricity (ME). Converse ME coefficient and radiation measurement show that the MME antenna demonstrates superior performance over a normal ME antenna. The oscillation magnet serves as an extra vibrating magnetic dipole besides the ME composite and thus brings radiation enhancement to the mechanical antenna. Furthermore, digital signal modulations are conducted with a VLF carrier signal to enable anti‐interference and anti‐attenuation communication. In view of the exemplary demonstration, the MME effect‐based antenna is expected to provide a new strategy for mechanical antenna improvement and shows tremendous potential for conductive environments communication applications.

Self-Biased Magneto-Electric Antenna for Very-Low-Frequency Communications: Exploiting Magnetization Grading and Asymmetric Structure-Induced Resonance

“…The distribution of the radiation field with distance was predicted with an analytical model and confirmed via experimentation, successfully demonstrating direct antenna modulation (DAM) on ME antennas. Advancing the field in 2023, Wu et al [ 21 ] proposed a VLF ME antenna driven by the synergistic effect of piezo-driven magnet motion and inverse magneto-electric effects. This innovative approach utilized an electromagnetic coil as the receiving end, showcasing a 10 Hz VLF communication test based on amplitude-shift keying (ASK) and frequency-shift keying (FSK) digital signal modulation.…”

A Magnetoelastic Twist on Magnetic Noise: The Connection with Intrinsic Nonlinearities

“…Here, we provide evidence for the existence of an additional magnetic noise mechanism related to the inherent magnetostriction of the applied ferromagnetic materials. The additional noise mechanism becomes particularly important when dealing with magnetostrictive devices: [ 62,63 ] such as actuators, [ 64 ] antennas, [ 26,65,66 ] data storage elements, [ 67,68 ] pressure sensors, [ 69–71 ] and magnetic field sensors. [ 53,72–74 ] Magnetic noise theory is applied to describe Δ E ‐effect sensors as an example of modulated magnetoelastic magnetic field sensors.…”

Experimental research on the nonlinear magnetoelectric effect of the VLF ME antennas

“…Due to its lower absorption in dense media and strong anti-interference capabilities [10], VLF signals can effectively meet the communication requirements of specific environments, including underwater, underground, and even within the human body [76]. This generated significant interest in VLF research, especially in the underwater communication, VLF can solve the communication challenges faced by submarines.…”