An overview of conformal antenna design techniques useful for telemetry applications

It is pointed out that many of the conventional antenna designs used in telemetry systems do not entirely meet overall system requirements. This is indicated by marginal electrical and physical performance. Typical problems are related to the incompatibility of the antenna with its body structure, low antenna gain, and poor radiation coverage. On the other hand, the conformal antenna design approach developed in recent years for various missiles and spacecraft has become increasingly useful for telemetry applications. Antennas designed on the basis of this approach provide a reasonable and practical solution to many of the problems found in conventional antennas, such as monopoles and dipoles. A summary is provided of some of the important conformal antenna designs which are applicable to telemetry. Attention is given to dielectric-loaded cavity antennas, dielectric rod radiators, microstrip antenna designs, and edge-slot antenna design.