Application of Selected Fractal Geometry Resonators in Microstrip Strain Sensors

Until now, strain gauges, fiber optic sensors, magnetic sensors, and piezoelectric sensors have been used for strain measurements. In recent years, the idea of using microstrip antennas in strain measurement applications has emerged. One of the key requirements for deformation sensors is the ability to mount them on small-size elements (therefore the size of these sensors is crucial). The possible way to miniaturize microstrip sensors is the application of appropriate patch geometry, e.g. fractal geometry. In this article application of various fractal patch geometries in microstrip strain sensors were investigated. All sensors were designed for the same operating frequency f(r)=2.725 GHz and on the same laminate. This approach showed how the influence of a specific geometry affects the sensitivity and the transducer size. The Sierpinski carpet, the Sierpinski triangle, the Sierpinski curve, and the combination of the Koch curve and the Sierpinski carpet were used to obtain the fractal geometry and miniaturize the sensor dimensions. They have been compared with the widely used rectangular patch. Numerical and experimental analyzes for the proposed sensors were carried out. The best solution to this problem was to use a combination of the Koch curve and the Sierpinski carpet. This fractal geometry, compared to a rectangular patch, enables the reduction of the patch size by 70% while reducing the sensitivity by 26%.

Automated summary

This article investigates the use of various fractal patch geometries in microstrip strain sensors. By comparing the performance of fractal geometries with rectangular patches, it is found that the best solution to this problem is to use a combination of the Koch curve and the Sierpinski carpet, which can reduce the patch size by 70% while still maintaining a high sensitivity.