Structural design and development of multiband aero-vehicle smart skin antenna

Abstract

The load-bearing antenna approach for state-of-the-art aero-vehicle structure has been made for military aircraft in recent studies. This study presents the structural design and development of multiband aero-vehicle smart skin antenna which has been developed as a simplified structured load-bearing antenna panel compared with recent studies for aircraft. A multifunctional concept of aircraft structure combines structural and electrical functions to single structural component. The structural function of multiband aero-vehicle smart skin antenna is load-bearing member of aircraft, and its electrical function is antenna for communication and navigation of aircraft. The radar cross section and drag reduction could be achieved by using sandwich structure and composite material. Through sequential design and development process, multiband aero-vehicle smart skin antenna successfully demonstrated the design, fabrication, and structural integrity of a load-bearing multifunction antenna component subjected to flight load conditions. This study concentrated on the computational analysis using finite element to validate the structural design of multiband aero-vehicle smart skin antenna structure. In addition, structural test results were briefly introduced to compare with the analysis results. The prototype of multiband aero-vehicle smart skin antenna was fabricated and tested for the verification of each analysis within the desirable tolerance.

Electromechanical co-design and experiment of structurally integrated antenna

“…In practice, the open condition can be applied to choose coarse dimensions of the facesheet and honeycomb. Although the coarse dimensions satisfy equation (1), the mechanical performance, such as the structural stiffness and strength, cannot meet the design requirements.…”

Deformation analysis and experiments for functional surface of composite antenna structure

“…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.…”

“…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. Although the impact deteriorates the return loss and radiation pattern, the composite antenna can maintain the structural integrity after the impact tests.…”

Design, Fabrication, and Testing of Active Skin Antenna with 3D Printing Array Framework

“…This multidisciplinary effort has developed a new high payoff technique known as the skin antenna [1][2][3]. The skin antenna provides a new paradigm where the structural surface becomes an antenna, and it is not only a microwave device receiving or sending electromagnetic waves but also a load-bearing structure [2].…”