This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of a self-foldable Active Origami Reflector Antenna (AORA) of parabolic form. Self-folding of the AORA is enabled by smooth uncreased folds composed of shape memory polymer (SMP) composites. Design methods for origami with smooth folds are applied to determine the shape and fold pattern of a planar sheet that can be folded to reach the parabolic antenna shape. A proof-of-concept prototype of the AORA is fabricated and self-folding of the AORA driven by thermal actuation of the SMP composite folds is demonstrated. The far-field electromagnetic (EM) characteristics of the AORA prototype are investigated through numerical simulations and experimental measurements in an anechoic chamber. A design-of-experiment study is conducted to investigate the effects of the antenna shape parameters on its EM characteristics such as far-field antenna gain and beamwidth, and to compare the performance of the AORA to that of ...

中文翻译：

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通过形状记忆聚合物致动实现的自折叠折纸反射器天线

本文介绍了抛物线形的自折叠有源折纸反射天线（AORA）的设计，制造和特性。由形状记忆聚合物（SMP）复合材料组成的平滑，无褶皱的折叠使AORA的自折叠成为可能。应用具有平滑折痕的折纸的设计方法来确定可折叠以达到抛物线形天线形状的平面薄片的形状和折痕图案。制作了AORA的概念验证原型，并演示了由SMP复合材料折痕的热致动驱动的AORA的自折叠。通过在电波暗室内进行数值模拟和实验测量，研究了AORA原型的远场电磁（EM）特性。