Title :
Meshed Patch Antennas Integrated on Solar Cells
Author :
Turpin, Timothy W. ; Baktur, Reyhan
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., Utah State Univ., Logan, UT, USA
fDate :
7/1/1905 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
This letter presents the study of integrating meshed patch antennas directly onto the solar cells of a small satellite to save valuable surface real estate. The cover glass of the solar cell is used as the substrate for the antennas. The integrated patch antennas are designed to have sufficient optical transparency to ensure the proper functionality of the solar cells. A prototype meshed patch antenna is designed and integrated on after-market solar cells. The antenna has an optical transparency of 93%, and the measurements agree well with the design.
Keywords :
microstrip antennas; solar cells; transparency; integrated patch antennas; meshed patch antennas; optical transparency; solar cells; surface real estate; Antenna radiation patterns; microstrip antennas; satellite communication; solar cells;
Journal_Title :
Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/LAWP.2009.2025522
