Topology optimization of continuum supporting structures for microwave antenna applications

Abstract

In microwave antenna applications, continuum structures usually support attached functional surfaces to realize some specific electromagnetic performance. Topology optimization of continuum supporting structures with functional surfaces is a challenge for microwave antenna applications. By introducing the concept of aperture field distribution into the design domain, a weighting approach for the topology optimization of continuum supporting structures with functional surfaces is presented based on the SIMP model. With the weighting aperture field distribution, the objective function of compliance in the previous SIMP method is changed to a weighted compliance. By selecting an optimized control factor, a different truss topology structure with several components from the previous method is clearly obtained. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through three typical applications: array antennas, reflector antennas, and conformal antennas with planar and curved functional surfaces.