Performance of Graphite Epoxy as an Antenna Ground Plane.
Abstract
This final report describes work undertaken by members of the Department of Electrical Engineering at the USAF Academy, Colorado for the Post Doctoral Program/Rome Air Development Center/Griffiss AFB, N.Y. This effort involved a study of graphite epoxy composite material as an antenna ground plane at the frequencies of 370 and 837 MHz. Five by five foot sheets of graphite epoxy were provided by the Composites Laboratory of the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB. Antenna impedance and antenna pattern measurements were made using these graphite epoxy sheets and also an identically sized sheet of aluminum. These measurements were made with both monopole and dipole antennas and also with a UHF blade antenna from an F4 aircraft. Results show that the 50 ply sheet of graphite epoxy behaves identically with an aluminum ground plane when used with a monopole or dipole receiving antenna at 370 and 837 MHz. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA058346
Entities
People
- John E. Erickson
- Oscar D. Graham
Organizations
- United States Air Force Academy