PhD Oral Exam - Saman Zarbakhsh, Electrical and Computer Engineering

When studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), candidates submit a thesis that provides a critical review of the current state of knowledge of the thesis subject as well as the student’s own contributions to the subject. The distinguishing criterion of doctoral graduate research is a significant and original contribution to knowledge.

Once accepted, the candidate presents the thesis orally. This oral exam is open to the public.

Abstract

The demand for wireless communication systems that provide developed functionality has recently increased. The RF electronic components such as filter, phase shifter, coupler, and antennas must operate as a multifunction component at a system level. Multifunction antennas have attracted the attention of researchers for performing several tasks simultaneously with an inexpensive implementation and are an appropriate candidate for wireless communication systems. The eventual objective of this research has been to design and implement state-of-the-art designs in the vicinity of multifunction antennas that can establish the requirements of today’s wireless communication systems, which should be efficient and cost-effective.

 In this study, high radiation features, acceptable performance from the scattering point of view, and simultaneous power harvesting capability will be the main factors of the multifunction transparent antenna. In commercial communication systems, a massive volume of electronic components is used. Thus, the battery employment for each of them will be challenging. Even battery replacement is sometimes not feasible, consuming a lot of time. Integrating the antenna with the solar panel for harvesting energy will be the appropriate choice to overcome this challenge. To satisfy the goals above, cheap and practical techniques such as the microstrip surfaces, including the periodic conductors such as frequency selective surface (FSS), will be reasonable. This work is organized based on a transparent multi-disciplinary EM object. A high value of 90% transparency is achieved using transparent conductive materials or based on the minimum usage of conducting elements.

Applicable designs of multifunctional antennas for CubeSat at 12 GHz and drone at 3 GHz frequency are proposed. Initially, a feeding antenna design is proposed. The requirements related to the radiation and scattering properties of the antenna structure and the energy harvesting issue are met using diverse design techniques. The CubeSat antenna is optically transparent, has high gain, and works in circular polarization. The drone antenna is also optically transparent and has passive steering angle directivity models. However, this structure still needs more properties. Additionally, composite materials are incorporated into the antenna design, providing potential benefits for aerial communication, including weight reduction, enhanced flexibility, corrosion resistance, and improved electromagnetic performance.

In conclusion, this thesis presents a comprehensive approach to multifunctional transparent antenna design, integrating beam engineering, solar energy harvesting, and composite materials with antennas for aerial applications.