Conformal Patch Array Antenna at 3.5 GHz for Omnidirectional Coverage

TítuloConformal Patch Array Antenna at 3.5 GHz for Omnidirectional Coverage
Tipo de publicaciónConference Paper
Year of Publication2015
AutoresSanchez-Dancausa, P. P., J. L. Masa-Campos, and P. Sanchez-Olivares
Conference NameSimposium Nacional URSI 2015
Date PublishedSeptember
ResumenA conformal patch array antenna with an omnidirectional pattern in the azimuth plane at S band is presented. A theoretical study of the ripple generated in the omnidirectional radiation pattern according to the number of faces that conform the array has been analyzed. A six faced prism 3D structure has been chosen following a maximum 3 dB ripple criteria in the omnidirectional radiation pattern. A rectangular microstrip patch fed by a microstrip line has been designed as the single radiating element. To feed each radiating element an equal power division feeding network has been designed in microstrip technology. Several prototypes have been manufactured and measured. Finally, the entire conformal array has been assembled on a regular hexagonal prism fabricated in Polylactic acid material using a 3D printer to validate the theoretical and the simulation results. Higher field ripple than expected in the omnidirectional radiating pattern has been obtained in the experimental results, demonstrating that the 3 dB beamwidth of the single radiating element is a critical parameter to design for a good 3D array performance.