Performance and impact damage of a three dimensionally integrated microstrip feeding antenna structure

A three dimensionally integrated microstrip antenna (3DIMA) with microstrip feeding was fabricated and analyzed. In this design concept, a microstrip antenna was woven into the three-dimensional orthogonal woven composite for the load-bearing while functioning as an antenna. The simulation work was done using the antenna simulation software before fabrication. The measured voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of the antenna was 1.18 at the resonant frequency of 1.31 GHz. The measured radiation pattern had a maximum value at 0°, which agreed well with the simulation results. In addition, impact tests were performed with the impact energy ranging from 0 J to 15 J. The results showed that the VSWR changed little even at 15 J impact energy demonstrating good impact resistance and structural integrity of the antenna structure.