Conformal and Lightweight 2.4 GHz ISM Band Patch Antenna on Silicone Sponge Rubber

A conformal and lightweight patch antenna on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) silicone sponge rubber (SSR) for the 2.4 GHz ISM band, is presented. Three different options for the ground plane are investigated: copper-cladded polyimide, copper wire mesh, and DuPont PE873 stretchable silver conductor. For these three options, the antenna is measured on a flat surface and conformed to cylindrical surfaces with radius R= 160 mm, R =80 mm, and R =40 mm.