Design and Simulation of Conformal Array Antennas for Avionics Applications

International Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

© 2023 by SSRG - IJEEE Journal

Volume 10 Issue 9

Year of Publication : 2023

Authors : Pushpa B R, Pushpa P V, Devaraju Ramakrishna

10.14445/23488379/IJEEE-V10I9P116

How to Cite?

Pushpa B R, Pushpa P V, Devaraju Ramakrishna, "Design and Simulation of Conformal Array Antennas for Avionics Applications," SSRG International Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, vol. 10,  no. 9, pp. 167-180, 2023. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488379/IJEEE-V10I9P116

Abstract:

Conformal array antennas have become an integral part of avionics and many other diversified applications because of their capacity to provide increased gain, conformity to the shape of the mount on which they are placed and durability. The present paper presents a novel approach plus meticulous design, simulation and comparison of results obtained for two configurations of microstrip patch antennas and arrays fed with an inset feed technique for avionics applications in 5G technology. The inset feed technique optimizes the impedance matching of the antennas. The resonating frequencies of 3.6 GHz and 3.4 GHz are selected for uplink and downlink, respectively, from the n78 band of 5G communication in India. The methodology used for designing single antenna elements is extended to a 1x2 array. The parameters used for assessing simulation results using CST (Computer Simulation Technology) Studio Suite, version 2017.0224 software, are Antenna Bandwidth (Return Loss) plots, VSWR plots, impedance plots, and gain plots of radiation patterns in both 2D and 3D. The simulated results show a considerable increase in gain, SWR and return loss for a 1x2 array compared to a single radiating patch. Antennas and arrays thus designed find applications invariably in aircraft, air traffic control management, drones and navigation systems as point-to-point communication links. 

Keywords:

Conformal arrays, Downlink, n78 band, Uplink, 5G communications.

References:

[1] Mamta Agiwal, Abhishek Roy, and Navrati Saxena, “Next Generation 5G Wireless Networks: A Comprehensive Survey,” IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 1617-1655, 2016. 
[CrossRef][Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] Weijia Wang et al., “High-Performance Printable 2.4 GHz Graphene-Based Antenna Using Water-Transferring Technology,” Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 870-875, 2019. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] Sumit Kumar et al., “Fifth Generation Antennas: A Comprehensive Review of Design and Performance Enhancement Techniques,” IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 163568-163593, 2020. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] Rongguo Song et al., “Wideband and Low Sidelobe Graphene Antenna Array for 5G Applications,” Science Bulletin, vol. 66, no. 2, pp. 103-106, 2020. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] Xinyao Zhou et al., “Graphene Printed Flexible and Conformal Array Antenna on Paper Substrate for 5.8 GHz Wireless Communications,” 2020 14th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP), pp. 1-4, 2020. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] Hao-Ran Zu et al., “Circularly Polarized Wearable Antenna with Low Profile and Low Specific Absorption Rate Using Highly Conductive Graphene Film,” EEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, vol. 19, no. 12, pp. 2354-2358, 2020. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] Wonbin Hong, “Solving the 5G Mobile Antenna Puzzle: Assessing Future Directions for the 5G Mobile Antenna Paradigm Shift,” IEEE Microwave Magazine, vol. 18, no. 7, pp. 86-102, 2017. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] Wei Hong et al., “Multibeam Antenna Technologies for 5G Wireless Communications,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 65, no. 12, pp. 6231-6249, 2017. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] Syeda Fizzah Jilani et al., “Millimeter-Wave Liquid Crystal Polymer Based Conformal Antenna Array for 5G Applications,” IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 84-88, 2019. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Chun-Xu Mao et al., “Planar Sub-Millimeter-Wave Array Antenna with Enhanced Gain and Reduced Sidelobes for 5G Broadcast Applications,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 160-168, 2019. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] Lars Josefsson, and Patrik Persson, Conformal Array Antenna Theory and Design, IEEE Press Series on Electromagnetic Wave Theory, John Wiley and Sons, pp. 1-83, 2006. 
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] Wael Ali et al., “Planar Dual-Band 27/39 GHz Millimeter-Wave MIMO Antenna for 5G Applications,” Microsystem Technologies, vol. 27, pp. 283-292, 2021. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Oluseun Oyeleke Wikiman et al., “PIFA Antenna Design for MmWave Body Centric 5G Communication Applications,” SSRG International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 6-10, 2019. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Thomas E. Morton, and Krishna M. Pasala, “Pattern Synthesis of Conformal Arrays for Airborne Vehicles,” 2004 IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings, vol. 2, pp. 1030-1039, 2004. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] Jiazhi Dong et al., “A Research on Airborne Conformal Array with High Gain and Low SLL,” 2014 International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Communication Networks, pp. 334-338, 2014. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] Yeqin Huang, and Shieh T. Hsieh, “Radiation of Conformal Slot Arrays on Perfectly Conducting Super-Spheroid,” 2005 IEEE International Symposium on Microwave, Antenna, Propagation and EMC Technologies for Wireless Communications, vol. 1, pp. 601-604, 2005. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] L. Zou, J. Lasenby, and Z. He, “Beamforming with Distortion Less Co-Polarization for Conformal Arrays Based on Geometric Algebra,” IET Radar, Sonar and Navigation, vol. 5, no. 8, pp. 842-853, 2011. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] K.M. Tsui, and S.C. Chan, “Pattern Synthesis of Narrowband Conformal Arrays Using Iterative Second-Order Cone Programming,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 58, no. 6, pp. 1959-1970, 2010. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] Yan-Ying Bai et al., “A Hybrid IWO/PSO Algorithm for Pattern Synthesis of Conformal Phased Arrays,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 61, no. 4, pp. 2382-2332, 2013. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[20] Massimiliano Comisso, and Roberto Vescovo, “3D Power Synthesis with Reduction of Near-Field and Dynamic Range Ratio for Conformal Antenna Arrays,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 59, no. 4, pp. 1164-1174, 2011. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] Srabonty Soily, Rezaul Karim Mazumder, and Khaleda Ali, “Design and Simulation of Two Conformal Arrays with Dual Patch and Quadruple Patch Antenna Elements,” 2015 IEEE Conference on Antenna Measurements and Applications (CAMA), pp. 1-3, 2015. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] M. Comisso, and Roberto Vescovo, “Fast 3D Pattern Synthesis for Conformal Antenna Arrays with Cross-Polarization Reduction,” 2010 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium, pp. 1-4, 2010. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23]  Meysam Rasekh, and Saeid R. Seydnejad, “Design of an Adaptive Wideband Beamforming Algorithm for Conformal Arrays,” IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 18, no. 11, pp. 1955-1958, 2014 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[24] K. Woelders, and J. Granholm, “Cross-Polarization and Sidelobe Suppression in Dual Linear Polarization Antenna Arrays,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 45, no. 12, pp. 1727-1740, 1997. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[25] Harmen Schippers et al., “Conformal Phased Array with Beam Forming for Airborne Satellite Communication,” 2008 International ITG Workshop on Smart Antennas, pp. 334-350, 2008. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[26] Peter Knott, “Design of a Triple Patch Antenna Element for Double Curved Conformal Antenna Arrays,” 2006 First European Conference on Antennas and Propagation, pp. 1-4, 2006. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[27] Ziheng Ding et al., “High Aperture Efficiency Arced Conformal Array with Phasor Beam Steering Antenna,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 596-605, 2022. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[28] Fujun Xu et al., “Performance and Impact Damage of a Three Dimensionally Integrated Microstrip Feeding Antenna Structure,” Composite Structures, vol. 93, no. 1, pp. 193-197, 2010. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[29] Lan Yao et al., “Fabrication and Impact Performance of Three-Dimensionally Integrated Microstrip Antennas with Microstrip and Coaxial Feeding,” Smart Materials and Structures, vol. 18, no. 9, 2009. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[30] Brajlata Chauhan et al., “Cylindrical Conformal Antenna Arrays Theory for Military Aircraft Antenna,” 2020 IEEE International Conference on Computing, Power and Communication Technologies (GUCON), pp. 77-82, 2020. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[31] Bahare Mohamadzade et al., “Recent Developments and State of the Art in Flexible and Conformal Reconfigurable Antennas,” Electronics, vol. 9, no. 9, pp. 1-26, 2020. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[32] Garima D. Bhatnagar et al., “Design of Broadband Circular Patch Microstrip Antenna with Diamond Shape Slot," Indian Journal of Radio and Space Physics, vol. 40, pp. 275-281, 2011. 
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[33] Neng-Wu Liu et al., “A Low-Profile Aperture-Coupled Microstrip Antenna with Enhanced Bandwidth Under Dual Resonance," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 65, no. 3, pp. 1055-1062, 2017. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[34] Ling Sun et al., “Two-Port Pattern Diversity Antenna for 3G and 4G MIMO Indoor Applications,” IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, vol. 13, pp. 1573-1576, 2014. 
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[35] Wei Lin, Richard W. Ziolkowski, and Hang Wong, “Pattern Reconfigurable Techniques for LP and CP Antennas with the Broadside And Conical Beams,” 12th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP 2018), pp. 1-4, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]