Narrow Results

The microelectromechanical system (MEMS) quasi-end-fire array antenna based on a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate is designed and fabricated in this paper. The maximum radiation direction of the antenna tends to the cone axis forming an angle less than 90${}^{\circ }$, which satisfies the proximity detection system applied at the forward target detection. Furthermore, the proposed antenna is fed at the ended side in order to save internal space. Moreover, the proposed antenna takes small covering area of the proximity detection system. The proposed antenna is fabricated by using the flexible MEMS process, and the measurement results agree well with the simulation results. This is the first time that a conical conformal array antenna is fabricated by the flexible MEMS process to realize the quasi-end-fire radiation. A pair of conformal MEMS array antennas resonates at 14.2 GHz with its mainlobes tending to the cone axis forming a 30${}^{\circ }$ angle and a 31${}^{\circ }$ angle separately, and the gains achieved are 1.82 dB in two directions, respectively. The proposed antenna meets the performance requirements for the proximity detection system which has vast application prospects.

To integrate conformal antenna system on surface vessel, we must deal with some key problem, first is the solution, second the development platform, and third the approaches based on the solution and platform, for the design of antenna, and solve issues of details, such as reduce the kind and number of antenna, furthermore, the bulk of the antenna on a ship, to realize the electromagnetic stealth meeting the requirements of warship. Methods: the development framework had been built, including model of antenna, software radio and cognitive radio framework, as well as development platform which is an adaptive simulating and design platform based on distribution and parallel system, to realize the phased array, optimize the placement of array elements and whole structure of the planar, calculate the feature of material in needs which call different EM software in the proper time automatically. Furthermore, the series methods to solve the key technology such as signal processing algorithm and spectrum management had been proposed, including thinking of the top-level design, and modularity of approaches, as well as the technique of semi-physical simulation. Results: The framework and methods meet the requirement for seamless RF integration of the conformal antenna system, in which all the output are met the demand of design. For example, in 3.8-4.0GHz frequency band, the antenna parameters is as follows: horizontal omnidirectional gain 6dBi, directional beam gain 22dBi, VSWR 2, sidelobe level of horizontal plane −22dB, impeadance=50, number of planar=6, elements in each planar=128. Conclusion: The framework and methods brings many innovations, including not only design concept and design methods, but also design platform and design results which have many advantages such as high reliability and intelligence, strong stability and extendibility, as well as self-adapting.