Exploiting a patch antenna for strain measurements

The feasibility of applying patch antennas for strain measurement is investigated. The resonance frequency of a patch antenna is determined by the size of its metallic patch. An applied strain changes the dimensions of the metallic patch, resulting in a shift in the antenna resonant frequency. Therefore, the applied strains can be measured from the changes in antenna resonant frequency. A dual-frequency patch antenna was designed and fabricated using conventional photolithography techniques. The application of the patch antenna for strain measurement was evaluated by bonding the patch antenna to an aluminum cantilever beam and applying loads at the free end of the cantilever beam. The shifts of the return loss S-11 curves under loads were correlated to the strains experienced by the patch antenna. The strain sensitivity of the antenna obtained from experimental measurements agreed well with the analytical prediction.