On using biocomposite filaments to additively manufacture substrates for microstrip transmission lines

As the requirements for wireless systems become more complex, researchers and designers are turning to unique technologies for solutions. In support of this, a new design that uses biocomposite filaments to additively manufacture substrates for microstrip transmission lines is presented here. In particular, the measured complex permittivity of the material manufactured with three different biocomposite filaments; namely Buzzed, Entwined and Wound Up is determined. This information is then used to design prototype 50Ω microstrip transmission lines. Overall, simulations and measurements compare well and show that biocomposite filaments can be used to support propagation up to 3.0 GHz on the microstrip transmission lines.