Embroidered Active Microwave Composite Preimpregnated Electronics—Pregtronics

Investigations of a Load-Bearing Composite Electrically Small Egyptian Axe Dipole Antenna

“…The following measured or known material properties have been used for the simulation of the EAD antennas: cyanate ester resin/astroquartz II composite (ε = 3.42+0.02i at 300 MHz), Rohacell HF Foam (ε = 1.0449+0.00021i at 300 MHz), copper shim (σ = 5.8×10 7 S/m), Aracon XS0200E-025 thread (Z = 0.026 ohms/sq. [19]) and the copper veil (Z = 0.0067 ohms/sq.). It should be noted that the surface resistance of the copper veil was measured using a transmission line method similar to that outlined in [19].…”

“…[19]) and the copper veil (Z = 0.0067 ohms/sq.). It should be noted that the surface resistance of the copper veil was measured using a transmission line method similar to that outlined in [19]. The QFRP dielectric was measured using full transmission reflection coaxial air-line Nicholson-Ross-Weir extraction method [24].…”

“…The second stage involved sewing a zigzag stitch over the NFRP EAD structure using a bobbin stitch approach [19]. This stage forms cross-threads so that the embroidered pattern achieves a quasi-isotropic conductivity.…”

“…Recent advances in the integration of novel conductors and active devices into composite materials have made it possible to realize actively tunable NICs for conformal loadbearing antennas structures (CLAS) [19]- [21]. Thus, if one could also integrate an ESA into such composite materials, then their broadband versions are immediately possible.…”

“…Based on textile technologies, the Pregtronics concept allows for a viable avenue to develop active ESA in composite materials [19]. The embroidered threads and the integration of non-woven carbon fiber veil materials can be considered to develop such structures.…”