Spatial tuning of a RF frequency selective surface through origami

Abstract

Origami devices have the ability to spatially reconfigure between 2D and 3D states through folding motions. The precise mapping of origami presents a novel method to spatially tune radio frequency (RF) devices, including adaptive antennas, sensors, reflectors, and frequency selective surfaces (FSSs). While conventional RF FSSs are designed based upon a planar distribution of conductive elements, this leaves the large design space of the out of plane dimension underutilized. We investigated this design regime through the computational study of four FSS origami tessellations with conductive dipoles. The dipole patterns showed increased resonance shift with decreased separation distances, with the separation in the direction orthogonal to the dipole orientations having a more significant effect. The coupling mechanisms between dipole neighbours were evaluated by comparing surface charge densities, which revealed the gain and loss of coupling as the dipoles moved in and out of alignment via folding. Collectively, these results provide a basis of origami FSS designs for experimental study and motivates the development of computational tools to systematically predict optimal fold patterns for targeted frequency response and directionality.

Transforming single-band static FSS to dual-band dynamic FSS using origami

“…Origami FSSs and other electromagnetic structures with tunable properties have been previously proposed and studied by various researchers 23,[42][43][44][45][46] . Also, it has been proven that the mechanical and EM performance of origami designs can be changed by varying their folding angle.…”

“…Origami FSSs have been already introduced 23 , 42 – 46 . Fuchi et al 42 , 43 introduced foldable frequency selective surfaces that can be tuned by changing their folding states.…”

Investigation of Fold-Dependent Behavior in an Origami-Inspired FSS Under Normal Incidence

“…In addition, origami-inspired frequency selective surfaces (FSS) have been explored using linearly polarized elements that allowed for frequency tuning at multiple angles of oblique incidence [9]. This inspired the exploration of a large variety of origami FSSs through simulations utilizing the combination of origami mathematics and conductive trace drawing based on a mapping function [10]. Current interest is fueled in part by recent developments in origami mathematics [11].…”

Strategies to predict radiated sound fields from foldable, Miura-ori-based transducers for acoustic beamfolding

“…Therefore, transducer arrays that leverage mechanical signal processing for focusing and steering wave energy have particular advantages over their digitally processed counterparts. "Frequency selective surfaces" for radio frequency antennae are prime examples where array shape change is leveraged for performance tuning that is more straightforward than a digital signal processing approach, [16][17][18][19] and astronomical observatories have long rearranged satellite receivers or transmitters to optimize long-range energy-guiding capability. 20 On the other hand, similar to the open-endedness of developing digital methods to beam and guide sound energy, one has an infinite number of ways in which array transducers may be physically positioned and repositioned to steer sound, which may encumber system development and deployment.…”