The design and additive manufacture of antenna systems for space-constrained environments
Date
2025
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The increasing demand for compact, high-performance communication systems in satellite and aerospace applications necessitates innovative antenna solutions that maximize efficiency in space-constrained environments. This research investigates the utilization of additive manufacturing (AM), a rapid prototyping technology, for the design and fabrication of radiating systems in space-constrained environments. Specifically, this research advances the design and fabrication of conformal surface-wave and graded index antennas. By leveraging AM’s ability to create highly complex geometries with precision, this research aims to overcome the limitations of conventional antenna designs, enabling efficient signal propagation and redirection in confined or obstructed environments. The first study focuses on the development of low-profile and conformal surface-wave antennas (SWAs). These SWAs, optimized for multi-material additive manufacturing, take advantage of novel dielectric resins and metamaterial surfaces to confine and guide electromagnetic waves with minimal loss. The next research study involves the incorporation of unusually shaped gradient-index (GRIN) lenses that enable precise wavefront manipulation, enhancing directivity and gain while maintaining a compact form factor. Furthermore, gradient structures are employed to achieve dynamic beam-steering, allowing signals to be efficiently redirected around corners—an essential capability for densely packed satellite arrays and integrated aerospace communication networks. Computational electromagnetic modeling, topology optimization, and multi-material printing techniques are utilized to refine antenna performance, ensuring robust operation across a range of frequencies.
Description
Keywords
Additive manufactures, Antennas, Beam-steering, Conformal surface-wave, Graded-index, Metasurface