Electromagnetic performance and impact damage of the microstrip antennas integrated in cylindrical three dimensional woven composite structures

A three dimensional integrated microstrip antenna (3DIMA) is a novel multifunctional structure, which can perform as a load bearing structure and function as an antenna. In this study, a single‐element and a double‐element microstrip antenna were integrated into cylindrical three‐dimensional woven glass fiber/epoxy composites respectively. Their electromagnetic performance and impact damage were investigated. The results showed that with the decrease of the curvature radii from 75 to 25 mm, the single‐element 3DIMAs with the feed direction perpendicular to the curvature showed more stable resonant frequencies and gain values than those of 3DIMAs with the feed direction parallel to the curvature. While the opposite results were observed for the double‐element 3DIMAs. The double‐element cylindrical 3DIMAs with the feed direction parallel to the curvature showed the best voltage standing wave ratios (VSWR < 1.25), resonant frequencies (near 1.5 GHz), gains (from 2.37 to 1.44 dB) and reasonable radiation pattern properties. In addition, impact tests were conducted with the impact energies ranging from 0 to 20 J. The results showed that the VSWRs slightly changed, demonstrating good impact resistance, and structural integrity of cylindrical 3DIMA structure. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3259–3267, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers