Radioengineering (Dec 2012)
Antenna Design Concepts Based on Transformation Electromagnetics Approach
Abstract
Using the idea of wave manipulation via coordinate transformation, we demonstrate the design of novel antenna concepts. The manipulation is enabled by composite metamaterials that realize the space coordinate transformation. We present the design, realization and characterization of three types of antennas: a directive, a steered beam and a quasi-isotropic one. Numerical simulations together with experimental measurements are performed in order to validate the concept. Near-field cartography and far-field pattern measurements performed on a fabricated prototype agree qualitatively with Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations. It is shown that a particular radiation can be transformed at ease into a desired one by modifying the electromagnetic properties of the space around it. This idea can find various applications in novel antenna design techniques for aeronautical, telecommunication and transport domains.