The Development of a Multi-Functional Composite Embedded Smart-Skin Antenna Structure
This paper focuses on the research and development of the “Multi-functional Composite Embedded Smart-Skin Antenna (MECSSA) Structure” with load-bearing, shape maintaining and communication capabilities. MECSSA structure consists of top and bottom composite thin facesheet, honeycomb core, 4 by 8 micro-strip antenna arrays located among honeycomb core and some adhesive. Simulation and experiment methods were used to study the performance of MECSSA structure. Through the study we found that adhesive is the significant factor of affecting the electrical performance of MECSSA structure, especially for radio frequency (RF) and it must take into account in the research. There may be two ways to avoid the influence of adhesive: compensation and separation. Three point bending test indicated that the strength of MECSSA structure satisfies design requirements.