An investigation into the practicality of using a stage four Hilbert curve fractal antenna for electronic warfare applications

This paper investigates the practicality of using a fractal shape to generate a multi-band antenna that can be used for electronic warfare applications. Currently fractal antennas are used in a multitude of applications such as RFID tags, wireless communication devices such as mobile phones and GPS receivers, and filters. The feasibility of extending the operational frequency range of a fractal antenna by increasing the number of iterations is explored. A Hilbert curve is examined up to the 4th stage, and the return loss and realized gain patterns are presented. A modification to the mathematically generated 4th stage is proposed, and is shown to improve the broadside radiation from the antenna.