Charczenko, WalterKung, Cheryl2024-09-092024Kung_washington_0250O_26791.pdfhttps://hdl.handle.net/1773/51941Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2024Satellite-based internet connection requires high directivity, millimeter wave phased array antennas to be able to receive and transmit signals effectively. Phased array antennas for millimeter waves have historically been very expensive to manufacture. Exploring low-cost methods for manufacturing high directivity antennas may bring down the costs of these systems, allowing more equitable access to internet. Helical antennas are a type of high directivity antenna that can be used for these purposes. However, helical antennas are difficult to manufacture and scale due to its three dimensional (3-D) shape of the helix conductor. New 3-D printing technology allows the creation of a dielectric support for the helical antenna element. This adds mechanical rigidity to the antenna and is feasible for high volume manufacturing at a lower cost. This thesis explores the design of a low-cost helical antenna using a 3-D printed dielectric core for mechanical support. The research in this thesis concludes that it is possible to design a helical antenna using low-cost dielectric materials with high relative permittivity at microwave frequencies. As a proof of principle, a 5 GHz helical antenna embedded in a solid dielectric was designed and modeled using electromagnetic field simulation software. At 5 GHz, the software simulations can be compared to helical antennas that are manufactured on conventional 3-D printers and commonly used resin dielectrics. The conclusion and results of the computer simulations show that helical antennas with dielectric support will radiate in the axial mode with high directivity and circular polarization.application/pdfen-USCC BY3-D printingAntennaHelicalElectrical engineeringElectrical engineeringThesis