First demonstration of machine-designed ultra-flat, low-cost directive antenna

In this paper, we present a fully automated procedure for the direct design of a novel class of single-feed flat antennas with patterning of a conductive surface. We introduce a convenient surface discretization, based on hexagonal cells, and define an appropriate objective function, including both...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2020-06, Vol.10 (1), p.10506-10506, Article 10506
Main Authors: Zucchi, Marcello, Giordanengo, Giorgio, Righero, Marco, Vecchi, Giuseppe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
639/166/987
639/766/930/1032
Antennas
Automation
Design
Efficiency
Genetic algorithms
Humanities and Social Sciences
Laboratories
multidisciplinary
Objective function
Optimization
Radiation
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Wavelengths
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Summary:In this paper, we present a fully automated procedure for the direct design of a novel class of single-feed flat antennas with patterning of a conductive surface. We introduce a convenient surface discretization, based on hexagonal cells, and define an appropriate objective function, including both gain and input matching requirements. The reference geometry is constituted by a very thin, single feed-point square panel. It features a backing metal plate (“ground”) and a top conductive layer, which is automatically patterned to achieve the desired radiation and input matching properties. The process employs an evolutionary algorithm combined with a boundary element electromagnetic solver. By applying this method, we designed an antenna tailored to the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band, with a size of 24 cm × 24 cm , i.e., 2 × 2 wavelengths and an height of 4 mm, or 0.03 wavelengths. Measured data confirmed the expected high gain (13 dBi), with a remarkable aperture efficiency (higher than 50%, including losses), thus validating the proposed approach.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-020-67354-2