Direct Write Techniques for Fabricating Unique Antennas

Abstract

The current fabrication methods used to produce many antennas are limited by variances in the precision and skill levels of individual laborers. These variances slow production and often create inconsistent results. As radio-frequency transmitter and receiver design moves towards higher operating frequencies, the physical dimensions of the supporting antennas decrease. Smaller sizes add new complexities to the fabrication of these antennas. Several designs that may be considered high-performance antennas are difficult to reproduce; many times, they cannot be fabricated at all due to the sophisticated patterning and precision necessary for successful function. Direct-write technologies provide the tools necessary to fabricate unique patterns in two and three dimensions. A demonstration of a directly written antenna, constructed from a silver-based thick-film paste pen-deposited onto cylindrical alumina substrates, is presented for review