The Generation of Electromagnetic OAM Vortex Waves Using a Simple Conformal Antenna Array

ABSTRACT This study presents a conformal antenna array without a phase network for generating electromagnetic orbital angular momentum (OAM) vortex waves. The conformal antenna array comprises a power divider and conformal array, thus excluding the required phased network for creating OAM waves with different modes. The simulation and the measurement results reveal that the conformal array antennas can produce the OAM modes of –1, 0, and +1 by adjusting the distance between the antenna. Notably, the measurements are consistent with the simulation results. The designed conformal array offers a flexible method to generate the OAM waves of different modes. Therefore, no additional electronic components are introduced into the device, decreasing the challenges and costs associated with processing. This conformal array has practical applications in microwave systems.