A Design of Bandwidth-Enhanced Conformal Antenna for Aircraft Applications

Abstract

This paper explains the novel conformal antenna design that achieves better Bandwidth (0.53 GHz) and Gain (9 dB) with slim and flexible substrate suitable for aircraft fuselage mounting. The achieved Bandwidth of 10.2% around the operating frequency of 5.2 GHz helps in improving the cross-range resolution of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). The obtained gain increases the cross-range coverage and reduces the aerodynamic drag. The parametric study of the structure is presented along with the explanation to provide the physical insight of each parameter with the help of transmission line model and surface current analysis. Already available prominent design techniques, to improve the bandwidth, are also discussed along with its limitations to use it in aircraft applications. The RT Duroid 5880 is selected for its low loss, high gain and conformability nature.

Keywords:

• Aircraft applications
• Conformal antenna
• Microstrip patch
• Transmission line model

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J. Monica

J Monica completed her BE degree in electronics and communication engineering from Anna University in 2013 and ME degree in communication systems from Anna University in 2015. She is currently pursuing her PhD from Anna University, Chennai, India. Her research works is in the areas of antennas and wireless propagations, aircraft antennas, microwave design and conformal antenna design. She has published papers in SCI indexed international journals and conferences.

P. Jothilakshmi

P Jothilakshmi completed her BE degree in electronics and communication engineering from the University of Madras in 1996 and ME degree in communication systems from Madurai Kamaraj University in 2000. She completed her PhD degree from Anna University, Chennai, India. She is currently serving as a professor in ECE at Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Chennai, India. She is an active fellow in professional societies ISTE, IETE and IAENG. She leads BE and ME and PhD projects. She has published several SCI-indexed and Scopus-indexed international journal papers. She presented and published papers in international and national conferences. Her research areas are microwave antenna design and wireless communication. Email: [email protected]