Thin Woven Antennas could Replace Big Field Dishes
Usually, when communication is needed in places like disaster sites, rescuers have to bring and set up large, expensive satellite dishes. But soon, a basic tubular antenna made of woven material strips might do the trick.
Created by researchers from Stanford University and the American University of Beirut, the prototype device is a kind of helical antenna. Typically, this antenna type is made up of one or more conductive wires twisted in a helix, similar to a corkscrew, around a central support mast.
A New Pattern
The innovative “bi-stable deployable quadrifilar helix antenna” eliminates the need for support and substitutes wires with strips made of conductive fiber composite material. These strips are twisted in a helix pattern to create a hollow cylinder.
Crucially, the cylinder can be stretched into a long and thin shape, reaching about one foot in height (305 mm), or it can be pushed down to shape a ring that is about one inch tall and five inches wide (25 by 127 mm).
How it Works
In its extended configuration, coupled with electronic components like a transceiver, ground plane, and battery, the antenna transmits a low-power signal omnidirectionally, facilitating radio communication with team members on the ground. When retracted to its shortened form, it transmits a high-power signal in a targeted direction, enabling satellite communications.
One reason the setup is easy is because of the device’s bi-stable design. This means that when you pull or push it by hand, it automatically pops into the right setup. This eliminates any uncertainty about whether it’s set up correctly, whether you’re in a disaster area, on a battlefield, or even in a spacecraft.
“Usually, the advanced solutions used in these places are big, heavy metal dishes. They’re hard to carry, need a lot of power, and are not very budget-friendly,” explained Assistant Professor Maria Sakovsky from Stanford. “Our antenna is light, uses less power, and can switch between two modes. It can achieve more with minimal resources in areas where communication is not that great.”
Read the Original Article: New Atlas
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