Optimized design of a multifunction/multiband antenna for automotive rescue systems

The development of efficient automotive accident management systems requires the design of complex multifunction antennas enabling different wireless services (e.g., localization, voice and data communications, emergency calls, etc.). Starting from different specifications (electrical, mechanical, and aerodynamic), the design of a multifunction antenna must consider, in addition to the usual antenna design requirements, also interference phenomena arising from the integration of different classes of antennas in a compact device. In this framework, the paper describes a methodology based on a stochastic multiphases optimization approach for the design of an integrated multifunction/multiband antenna system. Moreover, for an exhaustive assessment, the results of an experimental validation performed on a prototype of the multifunction antenna system are shown and discussed.