Abstract: Single element piezoelectric antennas may be efficient but low power radiators. Single element piezoelectric antennas are limited by the mechanical strength of the piezoelectric material. In other words, the element can only be driven to a point until the element breaks. Even at this limit, the radiated power levels of the single element piezoelectric antennas may not be sufficient for practical transmission. The elements in the piezoelectric antennas may be arranged in a colinear dipole array to scale the radiated power level.

Abstract: Piezoelectric materials, particularly ones with high quality factor used for mechanical antenna implementations, are sensitive to environmental conditions including temperature swings, humidity, vibration. Under the varying environmental conditions, the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric antenna can drift, and this results in the dampened piezoelectric radiator performance due to the mismatch between RF source' excitation frequency and piezoelectric antenna's resonant frequency. The frequency drift can be detrimental to the operation of the communication system that involves piezoelectric transmitter/receiver as a system component. In embodiments, the piezoelectric antennas may be integrated into a crystal oscillator to lock a drive frequency of the piezoelectric antennas to a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric antennas.

Abstract: Piezoelectric antennas may include a tuning mechanism. The tuning mechanism may adjust the operation frequency of the antennas and compensate the frequency drifts due to environmental effects on the piezoelectric materials and the other potential circuitry. The tuning mechanism may also modulate signal for communication purposes. A transmitter circuit may control the tuning mechanism. A transmitter circuit may control the tuning mechanism. The transmitter circuit may independently control multiple of the tuning mechanism, where the piezoelectric antennas are arranged in an array.