Fatigue Characteristics of a Surface Antenna Structure Designed for Satellite Communication

Abstract

Our objective in this work was to design a Surface Antenna Structure (SAS) for satellite communication and investigate the fatigue behavior of an asymmetric sandwich structure (SAS). The term, SAS indicates that a structural surface itself acts as an antenna. Constituent materials were selected for their electrical properties, dielectric constant, and tangent loss as well as mechanical properties. Antenna elements were inserted into structural layers to create a multilayer microstrip array antenna. Electrical measurements showed that antenna performance was in good agreement with the design specifications. Under cyclic four-point bending, the flexure behavior was investigated by static and fatigue testing. The fatigue life curve of the SAS was obtained. These experimental results were then compared with several single load level fatigue life prediction equations (SFLPE), and good agreement was found. The SAS concept is the first serious attempt at integration of antenna and composite engineering and promises to be an innovative future communication technology.