Electromagnetic optimization of piezoelectric ceramic and its application in mechanical antenna

Mechanical antennas have garnered considerable attention due to their ability to address the challenges posed by the significant size and high energy consumption associated with traditional electric antennas when operating at low frequencies. Here, a compact and structurally stable mechanical antenna design is presented. The proposed antenna is constructed using cylindrical piezoelectric ceramics, which have dimensions smaller than 1/1000 of the wavelength. The scrutiny of the influence exerted by the antenna feed area and material thickness on the radiation performance was undertaken, followed by an exhaustive discourse on these effects. Experimental measurements demonstrate the practical functionalities of signal coding, transmission, and reception in the low-frequency communication system. Notably, at a frequency of 288 kHz, a single proposed antenna achieves an effective information transmission distance of 60 m using binary information coding. This remarkable outcome underscores the potential of this design in facilitating the development of portable and cost-effective wireless communication equipment for low-frequency applications. A millimetre-scale PZT piezoelectric mechanical antenna was designed to investigate the effects of materials and structure on radiation performance. Different feed areas and material thicknesses impact electromagnetic characteristics, while cylindrical structures can greatly reduce centre stress which may destroy the resonator. The transmission capacity of the proposed mechanical antenna has been experimentally demonstrated, and the authors' design is beneficial for promoting the development of low-frequency piezoelectric mechanical antennas.image