Multilayer and Lightweight Conformal Antenna Using U-Slotted Patch and Stacked Polyimide Films

A multilayer and lightweight conformal antenna (MLWCA) is demonstrated using a U-slotted patch and stacked polyimide films. The antenna consists of a rectangular patch with a U-shaped slot placed above the stacked Kapton polyimide (KPM) and transparent polyester plastic film (TPPF), which provides enhanced bandwidth (BW) and bending performance. The antenna has a bandwidth from 1.18 GHz to $1.36 \mathrm{GHz}(14.1 \%)$ with a maximum gain of 8.0 dBi at 1.27 GHz. The antenna is designed and analyzed for the flat case and conformed along the x - and y-axis to cylinders with a radius of $200,160,100$, and 80 mm.