Multi-Physics Modeling and Simulation of a Frequency Doubling Antenna Sensor for Passive Wireless Strain Sensing

This research studies multi-physics simulation of a frequency doubling antenna sensor for wireless strain measurement. The frequency doubling technology allows easy distinguishing of backscattered passive sensor signal (at the doubled frequency 2ƒ) from environmental reflection (at original reader interrogation frequency ƒ). Upon bonding to a base structure, because strain/deformation causes resonance frequency change of the antenna sensor, the passive wireless antenna sensor can be used to measure strain in the underlying base structure. To accurately model the mechanical and electromagnetic behaviors of the frequency doubling antenna sensor, a multiphysics coupled simulation approach is proposed. For simulating both the matching network performance and the antenna behavior under strain/deformation, two commercial software packages, COMSOL and ADS, are combined to leverage the strength of each package. doi: 10.12783/SHM2015/109