Antennas with discrete resistive loading built by direct-write fabrication

This research presents results for "Altshuler"-type antennas (Altshuler, 1961) constructed using direct-write fabrication on a flexible substrate. These antennas are conductive monopoles with discrete resistive loading placed a quarter-wavelength from the open end. "Altshuler"-type antennas exhibit input impedance bandwidths on the order of 2 to 1 (ratio of the highest to lowest acceptable frequency) whereas comparable unloaded monopoles typically have bandwidths on the order of a few percent about a center frequency. The conductive portions (traces) of the antennas are made by direct-write fabrication using a silver-based nano-ink(s).