Modelling of Optimized Conformal Antenna Array for Airborne Applications

The design and synthesis of conformal array antennas that are optimized in terms of gain, VSWR, efficiency and other antenna performance parameters, specifically for airborne applications, has been a challenging task for scientists and researchers. In this paper, a novel approach to the design, simulation and fabrication of a 1x4 microstrip patch antenna array with two Wilkinson 3-dB power dividers on FR-4 substrate is presented. The resonance frequencies chosen are 3.6 GHz for uplink and 3.4 GHz for downlink in the n78 band of 5G NR (New Radio) communication in India. The 1x4 array is designed to be simulated, and synthesis results are obtained for planar and curved surfaces to achieve conformability. The different curvatures implemented are circular-bend and U-shaped bends for the fabricated antenna array. This high degree of flexibility for testing purposes and excellent dimensional stability is offered by the dielectric material FR-4 laminate 6150/6150C. The inset feeding technique is used to feed power to the antenna array, which is not only simple but also offers good impedance matching between the terminals. The software tool used for simulation is CST (Computer Simulation Technology) Studio Suite. The proposed antenna array gives a phenomenal gain of 13.6 dB (for both uplink and downlink frequencies), HPBW of 75.9° and SLL of -11.5dB, all of which are the optimum values obtained from its previous counterparts (single patch and 1x2 array designed and simulated for the same frequencies. These results have also been found to be better than those of any contemporary designs and variants. The proposed array finds applications in drones, military spacecrafts, point-to-point communication links (because of narrow bandwidth) and air traffic control and management systems.