A Mechanical Antenna for Long-Wave Communication by Integrating Piezoelectric Material and Magnets

Abstract The Chu’s limit imposes a significant challenge for traditional antennas operating at extremely low frequencies, as they require a large size due to the long operating wavelength, thus limiting their applicability. To reduce the antenna size, this paper proposes a vibrating beam system for long-wave communication that leverages the inverse piezoelectric effect, vibration theory, and Maxwell’s equations. A prototype utilizing beam structures is developed and examined experimentally. Furthermore, the frequency modulation of the vibrating beam system and signal transfer protocol are investigated in detail. The experimental results demonstrate that exciting different vibration modes of the vibrating beam system leads to varied electromagnetic signals in specific rules, enabling long-wave communications and ensuring confidentiality. This work offers valuable insights into the potential of local information exchange among close-range platforms. It also highlights the promising approach of integrating piezoelectric material and magnets within the vibrating beam system, showcasing their potential towards practical applications in long-wave communication.