Circularly conformal patch array antenna with omnidirectional or electronically switched directive beam

A circularly conformal array antenna of double stacked microstrip patches is presented in two radiation versions: omnidirectional and electronically switched directive beam. Every single element is disposed on an eight-faced regular prism structure built in 3D print technology. The omnidirectional pattern is achieved in the azimuth plane by using a microstrip uniform power divider to equally excite the circular antenna. The switched directive beam coverage is obtained by replacing the uniform power divider with an electronically switched power divider. Four switched beams of 90° angular separation are digitally configured. A fractional matching bandwidth of 17.2% has been measured for both omnidirectional and switched beam prototypes. The conformal antenna was entirely manufactured by using both printed circuit board and 3D printing technologies. Therefore, a very compact, low cost and light weight antenna design has been implemented, suitable to many applications such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, wireless local area network, unmanned aerial vehicles or direction finding.

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