Metamaterial-inspired electrically small antennas integrated into structural materials

An electrically small Egyptian axe dipole antenna has been designed and integrated into a glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), a structural material now commonly found in most mobile platforms. The integration is accomplished by sewing the antenna with conductive threads into the GFRP prepreg and accounting for dimensional variations after curing under high temperature and pressure in an autoclave. The simulated and measured reflection coefficient values and radiated field patterns are in good agreement. These comparisons demonstrate that the antenna is nearly completely matched to the source without any matching circuit and radiates as an electric dipole.