Conformal antenna and related methods of manufacture

A method of fabricating a conformal antenna, comprising:

• forming a substrate from a dielectric material via additive fabrication;
• forming, from a conductive material via additive fabrication, a first conductive region on a first side of the substrate, wherein the first conductive region includes one or more first slots;
• and
• forming, from the conductive material via additive fabrication, a second conductive region on a second side of the substrate,
• wherein the second conductive region includes at least one feature that functions as a choke when the first and second conductive regions are operated together as an antenna,
• wherein the at least one feature comprises one or more second slots that inhibit current flow on an exterior of the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line, and
• wherein the second conductive region comprises a tapered section that narrows toward a first end of the second conductive region.

An aerial vehicle comprising:

• at least one conformal antenna that comprises:
• a substrate;
• a first conductive region disposed on a first side of the substrate and including one or more first slots;
• a second conductive region disposed on a second side of the substrate;
• and
• a coaxial transmission line, an inner conductor of the coaxial transmission line electrically coupled to the first conductive region and an outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line electrically coupled to the second conductive region,
• wherein the second conductive region includes at least one structural feature that functions as a choke when the first and second conductive regions are operated together as an antenna,
• wherein the at least one structural feature comprises one or more second slots that inhibit current flow on an exterior of the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line, and
• wherein the second conductive region comprises a tapered section that narrows toward a first end of the second conductive region.

An antenna, comprising:

• a substrate;
• a first conductive region disposed on a first side of the substrate;
• a second conductive region disposed on a second side of the substrate;
• and
• a coaxial transmission line, an inner conductor of the coaxial transmission line electrically coupled to the first conductive region and an outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line electrically coupled to the second conductive region,
• wherein the second conductive region includes at least one structural feature that functions as a choke when the first and second conductive regions are operated together as an antenna,
• wherein the at least one structural feature comprises one or more slots that inhibit current flow on an exterior of the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line, at least a first slot of the one or more slots including a first portion oriented in a first direction and a second portion oriented in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and
• wherein the second conductive region comprises a tapered section that narrows toward a first end of the second conductive region.