Conformal microstrip antenna analysis and design for missile fuselage

In this thesis study, the analysis and design of the conformal microstrip antenna for missile fuselage with different diameters at the desired resonant frequency and bandwidth have been studied. The name of the antenna to be analyzed and designed is referred to as wraparound antenna in the literature and is frequently used in missile and satellite communication applications. However, these antennas generally have linear polarization. Also, the most important difference between wraparound antenna and planar microstrip antenna is the difference between radiation intensity patterns. As the wraparound antenna has the omnidirectional radiation intensity pattern, it provides an advantage in terms of receiving the signal coming along the roll axis of the missile with least variation. Since the wraparound antenna is a type of microstrip antenna, the subject of microstrip antennas has also been investigated in detail. In this study, the simulation study of the planar and cylindrical shape of the wraparound antenna, which is expected to operate in the range of 2215 - 2255 MHz, was carried out in the CST Microwave Studio program, and the directivity, efficiency, input impedance, gain and far field pattern of the antenna were also examined. After this stage, studies were also carried out to improve the performance of the wraparound antenna. These studies has been carried out to be received the signals coming along the roll axis of the missile by wraparound antenna with least variation. At the end of this thesis study, the production of the wraparound antenna in planar form, which has a length to surround the fuselage of the missile with a diameter of 122 millimeters, was carried out using a flexible printed circuit board. After this stage, the test and simulation results of the produced antenna have been compared.