Conformal, structurally integrated antenna with a thin-film solar cell array for flapping-wing robots

A conformal antenna structurally integrated with a thin-film solar cell array on wings of a flapping robotic platform is presented. The thin-film solar cells operate as a part of radiating elements as well as power generators, leading to size/mass reduction of the antenna/solar cell module. This configuration is possible because as frequency increases, impedance characteristic of a thin-film solar cell gets closer to that of a high junction capacitance and thus the solar cell works as a short circuit with a small phase shift at high frequencies. Impedance and radiation characteristics of the antenna under flat or bending conditions are discussed.