A directional conformal antenna array for failure detectors in smart grid applications

A directional conformal antenna array is proposed for failure detector in smart grid applications, which operates in ISM band. Inset-fed patch antennas are used to realize the compact 2 × 1 sub-array. The first and second sub-arrays are fixed alternately on the eight sides of octagonal table-shaped failure detector to constitute 2 × 8 conformal antenna array. To achieve the excitation of the proposed antenna array, coaxial cables are used to connect the sub-arrays and feeding network. To achieve the inclined downward radiation, the output ports of feeding network have adopted the same amplitudes and phase shifts of 0°, 90°, 270°, 180° in an anticlockwise direction. The simulated results indicate that the proposed antenna array has achieved inclined downward radiation. Besides, the conformal design helps to reduce air friction. Therefore, the proposed conformal antenna array is a good candidate for wireless communication between the failure detector and terminal in smart grid applications.