Compact form fitting small antennas using three-dimensional rapid prototyping

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Title Compact form fitting small antennas using three-dimensional rapid prototyping
Publication Type dissertation
School or College College of Engineering
Department Electrical & Computer Engineering
Author Willis, Bryan Jon
Date 2012-05
Description Three-dimensional (3D) rapid prototyping holds significant promise for future antenna designs. Many complex designs that would be unmanufacturable or costly are realizable on a 3D printing machine. The ability to create 3D designs of virtually any configuration makes it possible to build compact antennas that can form fit to any space. These antennas build on the concept that small antennas can best reach the ideal operating limit when utilizing the entire 3D space in a sphere surrounding the antenna. Antennas require a combination of dielectric and conductive materials. 3D rapid prototyping is already well advanced for plastics and dielectric materials (with more options coming online). Prototyping with conductive materials has lagged behind; due mainly to their higher melting points, but this is advancing as well. This dissertation focuses on 3D rapid prototyping for antenna design. A 3D antenna made from small cubical cells is optimized for 2.4-3GHz using a genetic algorithm (GA). The antennas are built using 3D printing of plastic covered by conductive paint. The effects of the conductivity of the paint and number of layers on the resonance and gain of the antenna are evaluated. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using 3D rapid prototyping for antenna design.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Small Antennas; Three-dimensional rapid prototyping
Subject LCSH Antennas (Electronics) -- Design and construction
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name Doctor of Philosophy
Language eng
Rights Management Copyright © Bryan Jon Willis 2012
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 1,991,278 bytes
Identifier us-etd3/id/660
Source Original in Marriott Library Special Collections, TK7.5 2012 .W55
ARK ark:/87278/s6d512p4
Setname ir_etd
ID 194824
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6d512p4
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