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Circular polarized 3D-printed cylindrical DRA using parasitic dielectric helix
Sebastian Diaz1, Marcos Diaz2, Eva Rajo-Iglesias3
1Escuela de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, 2362804, Valparaiso, Chile.
Scientific Reports
|July 22, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a 3D-printed dielectric resonator antenna for 5.8 GHz applications. The antenna achieves tunable circular polarization using a parasitic helix, suitable for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems.
Area of Science:
- Electromagnetics and Antenna Design
- Materials Science for RF Applications
- Additive Manufacturing for RF Components
Background:
- Circularly polarized antennas are crucial for applications like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to mitigate polarization mismatch losses.
- Existing circularly polarized antennas often involve complex structures or expensive materials, limiting their widespread adoption.
- 3D printing offers a promising avenue for fabricating customized and cost-effective antenna solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and demonstrate a 3D-printed cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) operating at 5.8 GHz.
- To achieve tunable circular polarization (right-handed or left-handed) by integrating a parasitic dielectric helix.
- To investigate the impact of helix design parameters on antenna performance for UAV compatibility.
Main Methods:
- A cylindrical DRA was designed and integrated with a parasitic helix made of a higher permittivity dielectric material.
- Extensive parametric studies were conducted on the helix dimensions and dielectric constant to optimize antenna matching and axial ratio.
- The antenna was fabricated using low-loss dielectric filaments and a standard 3D printer.
Main Results:
- The 3D-printed antenna successfully achieved circular polarization (both right-handed and left-handed) by adjusting the helix's turning sense.
- Simulation and measurement results confirmed good impedance matching across the operating band.
- The antenna exhibited an axial ratio bandwidth suitable for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications.
Conclusions:
- A cost-effective and manufacturable 3D-printed circularly polarized DRA has been successfully demonstrated.
- The parasitic dielectric helix provides an effective method for achieving tunable circular polarization in DRAs.
- The proposed antenna design shows significant potential for integration into UAV platforms requiring reliable RF communication.
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