volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

A copper strip and conductive paint-based low profile stripped helical antenna for circular polarization over wide axial-ratio (AR) bandwidth are presented. Impacts of strip widths and geometric parameters of the helix on antenna performance (impedance bandwidth, reflection coefficient, AR, gain) are analyzed thoroughly. In terms of performance parameters, the proposed design is also compared with traditional designs of wire and strip-based helical antennas. Proper impedance matching in the proposed design is achieved by the non-conformal placement of the strip. For easing the fabrication complexity, the antenna is again simulated with a dielectric-based supportive structure, and the impact of this additional support is discussed. The antenna is then constructed on a 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA) based structure. Finally, the 1.3-turn strip-based helical antenna with a radius of 18 mm provided impedance and 3-dB AR bandwidths of 99% and 82.52%, respectively. The maximum gain of 9.40 dBi was found at 2.05 GHz in 3-dB AR bandwidth. The height of the presented antenna is 0.35 λ₀, where λ₀ is the free space wavelength at the frequency of 2.65 GHz. Low profile and wide AR bandwidth facilitate the use of this antenna in space communication.

1. Kraus, J., "The helical antenna," Proceedings of the IRE, Vol. 37, No. 3, 263-272, 1949.
doi:10.1109/JRPROC.1949.231279 Google Scholar

2. Nakano, H., H. Takeda, T. Honma, H. Mimaki, and J. Yamauchi, "Extremely low profile helix radiating circularly polarized wave," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 39, No. 6, 754-757, 1991.
doi:10.1109/8.86872 Google Scholar

3. Hui, H. T., K. Y. Chan, and E. K. N. Yung, "The low-profile hemispherical helical antenna with circular polarization radiation over a wide angular range," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 51, No. 6, 1415-1418, 2003.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2003.812187 Google Scholar

4. Alsawaha, H. W. and A. Safaai-Jazzi, "Ultrawideband hemispherical helical antennas," IEEE Transactions on Antenna and Propagation, Vol. 58, No. 10, 3175-3185, 2010.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2010.2055806 Google Scholar

5. Chen, Z. and Z. Shen, "Planar helical antenna for circular polarization," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 63, No. 10, 4315-4323, 2015.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2015.2463746 Google Scholar

6. Sun, W., G. Su, L. Sun, and X. Chen, "A pattern reconfigurable circularly polarized quadrifilar helix antenna through phase control," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 70, No. 9, 7766-7773, 2022.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2022.3164197 Google Scholar

7. Beneck, R. J., G. Mackertich-Sengerdy, S. Soltani, S. D. Campbell, and D. H. Werner, "A shape generation method for 3D printed antennas with unintuitive geometries," IEEE Access, Vol. 10, 91294-91305, 2022.
doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3202536 Google Scholar

8. Mirzaee, M. and Y. Kim, "On the far-field characteristics of a 3D-printed antenna using wood-based PLA and conductive silver nanoparticle ink," United States National Committee of URSI National Radio Science Meeting (USNC-URSI NRSM), Denver, 2022. Google Scholar

9. Tang, X., B. Feng, and Y. Long, "The analysis of a wideband strip helical antenna with 1.1 turns," International Journal of Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 2016, No. Article ID 5950472, 2016. Google Scholar

10. Tang, X., Y. He, and B. Feng, "Design of a wideband circularly polarized strip helical antenna with parasitic patch," IEEE Access, Vol. 4, 7728-7735, 2016.
doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2016.2628044 Google Scholar

11. Siahcheshm, A., J. Nourinia, C. Ghobadi, and M. Shokri, "Circularly polarized printed helix antenna for L- and S-bands applications," Radioengineering, Vol. 29, No. 1, 2020.
doi:10.13164/re.2020.0067 Google Scholar

12. Helena, D., A. Ramos, T. Varum, and J. N. Matos, "Antenna design using modern additive manufacturing technology: A review," IEEE Access, Vol. 8, 177064-177083, 2020.
doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3027383 Google Scholar

13. Ghassemiparvin, B. and G. Nima, "Design, fabrication, and testing of a helical antenna using 3D printing technology," Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, Vol. 62, No. 4, 2019. Google Scholar

14. Farooqui, M. F. and A. Shamim, "3-D inkjet-printed helical antenna with integrated lens," IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, Vol. 16, 800-803, 2017.
doi:10.1109/LAWP.2016.2604497 Google Scholar

15. Tawk, Y., "A dynamic dual tapered 3-D printed nested helical antenna," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 68, No. 2, 697-702, 2020.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2019.2943427 Google Scholar

16. Majumdar, B., B. David, C. Sudipta, and E. P. Karu, "Additive manufacturing of a dual-ridged horn antenna," Progress In Electromagnetics Research Letter, Vol. 59, 109-114, 2016.
doi:10.2528/PIERL16021503 Google Scholar

17. Tokan, F., D. Selami, and Ç. Alper, "Influence of 3D printing process parameters on the radiation characteristics of dense dielectric lens antennas," Progress In Electromagnetics Research C, Vol. 116, 113-128, 2021.
doi:10.2528/PIERC21080605 Google Scholar

18. Bjorgaard, J., H. Michael, H. Eric, M. Milad, H. C. Yi, and N. Sima, "Design and fabrication of antennas using 3D printing," Progress In Electromagnetics Research C, Vol. 84, 119-134, 2018.
doi:10.2528/PIERC18011013 Google Scholar

19. Balanis, C. A., Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design, NJ, Wiley, 2005.

Dr. Purno Ghosh

Dr. Frances Harackiewicz