volume | PIER Journals

2016-05-26

Ultra-Thin 3D Printed All-Dielectric Antenna

Carlos Rodriguez,

Dr. Carlos Rodriguez

University of Texas at El Paso

USA

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Jose Avila,

Dr. Jose Avila

University of Texas at El Paso

USA

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Raymond C. Rumpf

Professor Raymond C. Rumpf

W. M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation

University of Texas at El Paso

USA

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Progress In Electromagnetics Research C, Vol. 64, 117-123, 2016

doi:10.2528/PIERC16020602

Abstract

In this work we report an ultra-thin all-dielectric antenna that was designed, built, tested, and compared with simulated data. The objective of this research was to develop an antenna that is easily manufactured by common 3-D printers available today. 3-D printing is quickly revolutionizing manufacturing and the need to incorporate electrical elements like antennas is rising. Multi-material 3-D printing that can build parts with conductors and dielectrics is the future, but at present it is very immature and largely inaccessible. The antenna presented here represents our first steps in developing all-dielectric antennas that can be manufactured today with commonly available 3-D printers and materials. A monolithic antenna would have additional mechanical benefits when subjected to bending or thermal cycling. With this goal in mind, an ultra-thin all-dielectric antenna was developed. The antenna operates by taking advantage of total internal reflection and exciting a leaky whispering gallery mode. The antenna reported here operates at 2.4 GHz and was able to be as thin as 1.5 mm.

Citation

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Carlos Rodriguez, Jose Avila, and Raymond C. Rumpf, "Ultra-Thin 3D Printed All-Dielectric Antenna," Progress In Electromagnetics Research C, Vol. 64, 117-123, 2016.
doi:10.2528/PIERC16020602

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