Biomimetic electrically small antennas

Many insects possess acute directional hearing capabilities and are able to localise a sound source of interest with a good degree of precision. An analogy can be drawn between the hearing mechanisms of such insects and a two-element, electrically small antenna array. Presented is a biomimetic electrically small antenna array that mimics the hearing mechanism of an insect with hyperacute directional hearing capability. A prototype of such an antenna has been fabricated and its simulated and measured results are presented. Such biomimetic antenna arrays could be used in numerous applications ranging from miniaturised RF sensors and direction finding systems to small aperture, high-resolution microwave imaging systems and radars.