Rapid construction of electrically small spherical and cylindrical antennas

Using three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies, two of the folded electrically small antennas (FESAs) are simulated, fabricated, and evaluated. A folded spherical helix and a cylindrical helix are chosen as a part of the verification of this fabrication process. FESAs are constructed on the polylactic acid (PLA) material-based 3D printed support and the effect of this extra support on antenna performances are discussed. The similarity index between measured and simulated performance parameters of both spherical helix and cylindrical helix shaped FESAs is high. The fabrication process is faster, dependable and provides the design flexibility of any complex-shaped spiral antenna.