Design and Simulation of Origami-Inspired Multifunctional Waveguide Devices

Conventional electromagnetic waveguides and antennas are limited by their rigidity and bulk, restricting their adaptability in reconfigurable and deployable systems. To overcome these constraints, we propose an origami-inspired bellow waveguide that combines structural flexibility with tunable electromagnetic properties. Based on this platform, we develop a waveguide converter and a reconfigurable standing-wave slotted waveguide array antenna operating in the C-band (4–8 GHz). Using dyadic Green's function analysis, we examine the radiation properties of a magnetic dipole array in linear and circular configurations. Simulations validate the theoretical predictions. The waveguide facilitates seamless transitions between unidirectional and omnidirectional radiation. This work integrates origami-inspired mechanics with electromagnetic wave control, offering a novel approach for power transmission, adaptive antennas, and deployable satellite systems, bridging rigid microwave technologies and flexible electronics.