Solar Cell Integrated Optically Transparent Antenna

This paper presents the design and performance of a solar cell integrated, optically transparent 2X2 antenna for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-to-satellite communication. The antenna is designed to operate in the 9-18 GHz frequency band covering 15 GHz UAV satellite communication data link. The antenna has been fabricated using a low-cost in-house method in which the antenna is created from the Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) embodied polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. The surface resistance of the antenna is 10 $\Omega$ per Square. The antenna was fabricated and measured without the solar cell and when mounted on it. The antenna operates in a 9-18 GHz band covering various communication bands, including UAV-Satellite communication link at 15 GHz. The simulated realized gain of the antenna is 7.52dBi. It is also demonstrated that the antenna does not interfere to the Solar cell charging and discharging process, and it may be mounted on the UAV wings for the smart communication link. The measured electrical characteristics of the antenna will be shown during the conference.