Conformal load-bearing antenna structures (CLAS) have been attracting the attention of aerospace industries in recent years. This type of multifunctional structures combines the features of conventional antennas with load-bearing capacity and has important applications in military and commercial airplanes especially for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Equiangular slot spiral antennas are an alternative to traditional rectangular slots because of its wideband radiation characteristics. However, the mechanical characteristics of such a spiral antenna integrated into a structure are so far largely unexplored. In this paper, the electromagnetic (scattering parameter, radiation pattern and gain) and mechanical properties (stress concentration factor (SCF)) of spiral antennas is investigated using finite element analysis (FEA). The results lead to a recommendation for using this type of antenna for future CLAS concepts.

Volume Subject Area:
Enabling Technologies and Integrated System Design
Topics:
Bearings, Finite element analysis, Stress, Mechanical properties, Radiation (Physics), Unmanned aerial vehicles, Aerospace industry, Aircraft, Electromagnetic scattering, Load bearing capacity, Military systems, Radiation scattering, Scattering (Physics), Stress concentration
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 by ASME and The Commonwealth of Australia
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