Yagi-Uda Antenna with Fully 3D-Printed Bow-Tie Elements

Abstract

In this work, additive manufacturing technology by fused deposition modelling 3D-printing has been exploited in order to design and realize a first example of fully 3D-printed broadband Yagi-Uda antenna operating at 2.45 GHz characterized by 3D-printed bow-tie dipoles and reflection plane. Novel dielectric and conductive 3D-printable filaments, properly modeled in the UHF band, have been used. The structure has been firstly simulated with the full-wave simulation software CST Microwave Studio and then realized by 3D-printing the different elements, which have been subsequently assembled. The measurements on the prototype are in good agreement with the simulations, thus proving the feasibility of the manufacturing procedure and the effectiveness of the 3D-printing technology as a new alternative for fast prototyping efficient UHF antennas and RF devices.