Conformal Antennas and Arrays with Layers Consisting of Copper and Graphene-based Conductors for Redundancy Properties

Abstract

Graphene is a new promising material with unique electrical, mechanical, optical and thermal characteristics. The use of graphene in the design of an antenna and other electromagnetic passive devices would be beneficial for miniaturization, efficient dynamic tuning, monolithic integration with graphene RF nano-electronics, and even transparency, mechanical flexibility, andreliability. However, there are some challenges to fabricate and design an antenna with pure graphene embedded in the layout. Here, an advanced study on the electrical and mechanical properties of the graphene-based conductive material (not pure graphene), and how this material can be utilized in developing a first-ever graphene-based conformal antenna array for wireless communication systems has been done. More specifically, the important factors for antenna design, such as electrical and mechanical properties, will be studied here to ensure an effective and efficient design. Next, a graphene-based antenna array on a planar surface will be designed to validate the electrical and mechanical properties, and finally, the trade-off of the graphene-based antenna array on a conformal surface is investigated. To mitigate the challenges of designing a graphene-based conformal antenna array, proper care is needed to achieve the optimal performance of the antenna array system. These new mechanisms of the graphene-based conformal antenna arrays will bring new possibilities in conformal antenna usage and wearable antenna applications for the first time.