A Novel Design for Flexible and Conformable 3D-Printed Dielectric Resonator Antennas for WiFi and IoT Applications

The realization of flexible and conformable antennas, suitable for IoT applications, is still a challenging activity. The traditional manufacturing techniques, mostly based on Silicon, rarely allow to realize such devices. Nevertheless, additive manufacturing technologies are good candidates to fulfill such a need, while enabling, in the meantime, the production of otherwise unrealizable geometries. In this paper a new design for a flexible, and conformable Rectangular Dielectric Resonator Antenna, working at 2.45 GHz, enabled by 3D printing, is proposed. Its feasibility is demonstrated by indicating how any part of the prototype could be properly manufactured. Eventually, simulated results proving the performance of the antenna in terms of stability, radiation efficiency, and gain (straight, concave, and convex) are reported and discussed. © 2022 IEEE.