Effect of Radii of Curvature in Flexible Substrates on the Performance of Super-Wideband Antennas

Flexible substrates are gaining popularity in wireless communications due to their adaptability and lightweight properties. However, microstrip patch antennas, traditionally fabricated on rigid dielectric substrates, have exhibited super-wideband characteristics and high boresight gain. The demand for flexible substrate-based super-wideband patch antennas is growing, especially for unmanned aerial vehicle applications. This paper explores the impact of various flexible substrates (Rogers 5880T, Rogers 3003C, and Polyethylene Terephthalate) and different radii of curvature (flat to 45 mm bend) on the super-wideband response (from L to K-band) of an edge-fed circular patch antenna. The study also presents antenna gain and radiation efficiency results to assess the influence of flexible substrates. The findings indicate that Rogers 3003C maintains a super-wideband response with adequate gain up to a 45 mm radius of curvature.