Conformal Antenna for Aircraft Applications

This research paper presents the design of a conformal antenna utilizing a 1x4 array with corporate feeding techniques, specifically tailored for deployment on high-velocity aircraft, UAVs, and other similar platforms with a primary focus on minimizing aerodynamic drag. The antenna design is realized on an RT Duroid 5880 substrate with a dielectric constant (cr) of 2.2 and a height of 1mm. Operating predominantly within the 4GHz to 4.2GHz range of the electromagnetic spectrum, the 1x4 conformal antenna array has been meticulously simulated and tested in both planar and conformal configurations. Notably, its performance remains robust even when subjected to bending, thanks to the incorporation of a CSRR DGS structure within the ground plane. The feeding mechanism employed in this design utilizes a power divider network matched to a 50Ω impedance. Remarkable results have been achieved, with return loss values of S11=-25.15 and -29.52 dBi recorded at 3.987GHz and 4.2GHz, respectively, in the conformal version under bent conditions. Furthermore, the simulated directivity of the antenna array reaches 10.8dBi and 11dBi at the aforementioned frequencies, demonstrating its efficacy and resilience in demanding operational scenarios. This research contributes valuable insights into the development of high-performance conformal antennas for airplanes, aerospace and other high-velocity applications.