Method and apparatus for folded antenna components
View Patent ↗Method and apparatus for making antennas and antenna components suitable for wideband transmission and reception are disclosed. Material accretion devices or apparatus such as a 3D printer can be used to form the antennas and antenna components. The antenna and antenna components can include folded and/or self-similar features.
1. A method for producing an antenna component, the method comprising:
with a material accreting device, accreting material in a plurality of layers, wherein each layer defines a separate portion of a predetermined three-dimensional (3D) shape of a folded antenna component;
by successive accretion of each of the plurality of layers, combining the plurality of layers, thereby forming a complete folded antenna component having the predetermined three-dimensional (3D) shape that is substantially non-planar; and
painting the folded antenna component with a conductive paint, for at least a portion of the component;
wherein the folded antenna component includes a folded or self-similar shape for at least a portion of the component.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the self-similar shape is fractal in finite iterations for at least a portion.