Printing of GHz antenna pattern on flexible substrates for the manufacturing of intelligent light-weight structures

摘要

For antenna pattern suitable in the GHz frequency band up to 24 GHz ciritical dimensions in the lower micrometer range (＜100 μm) are required. For their manufacturing inkjet printing as a rapid prototyping technology of various antenna designs and gravure printing as a mass production technology are investigated. The main objectives are the definition of a tool set for the digital layout development and simulation of antenna pattern and the comparison of the two manufacturing technologies in terms of critical structure sizes. First of all, a simulated patch antenna design for a frequency of 11 GHz was successfully manufactured by inkjet printing. Using a network analyzer measurement device, absorption maximum of the printed antenna pattern in the 12-13GHz range was demonstrated. Furthermore, it can be shown, that smallest conductive lines with 70-80 μm width are printable with both technologies. However, inkjet printing shows advantages in terms of edge sharpness and minimal layer thickness. The further approach is the manufacturing of a comparable antenna using gravure printing technology and the development of an optimized antenna layout working in the 24 GHz band, considering the possible critical structure sizes.