In this paper, an attempt is made to evaluate signal performance of an antenna embedded in a viscoelastic thermoset composite polymer commonly known as Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC). Signal quality is investigated by studying the impedance matching and radiation pattern results of an embedded antenna. The investigation was done experimentally and using simulation software CST Microwave Studio. Two types of antenna have been investigated. One being planar inverted conical antenna (PICA) that operates in the range of about 850 MHz to about 10 GHz and the second one being slot dipole antenna that operates in the range of 1.2 GHz to 1.4 GHz. The signal quality was evaluated at four different antenna configurations. Configuration 1 – antenna with 0° angle deformation, configuration 2 – antenna with 22° angle, configuration 3 – antenna with 45° angle and configuration 4 – 90° angle. The effect of these four configurations on signal quality of each antenna is discussed and simulation results are compared to experimental results.

Volume Subject Area:
Multifunctional Materials
Topics:
Composite materials, Signals, Sheet molding compound (Plastics), Computer software, Deformation, Dipoles (Electromagnetism), Microwaves, Polymers, Radiation (Physics), Simulation, Simulation results, Thermosetting composites
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Copyright © 2010
 by ASME
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