Resistive ink derived FSS-based microwave absorber using equivalent circuit modelling-interfaced deep learning technique

Abstract

This article introduces a simple yet highly effective wideband microwave absorber, leveraging a resistive ink Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) in conjunction with Equivalent Circuit Modeling (ECM) and Deep Neural Network (DNN) techniques. This absorber design addresses critical challenges in the field by offering a versatile and efficient solution for wideband absorption while remaining lightweight and polarization-insensitive. The presented resistive FSS unit cell has an electrical length of 0.31 λ. The proposed square-loop FSS-based microwave absorber is designed and fabricated using Y-Shield HSF 64 resistive ink having a conductivity of 640 S/m. Experimental measurements are meticulously executed using the WR90 rectangular waveguide method, utilizing 1 × 2-unit cells. This configuration allows for broad bandwidth absorption with minimal weight and polarization sensitivity. Results indicate an impressive − 10 dB absorption bandwidth spanning 3.5 GHz (8.9–12.4 GHz) within the X-band of microwave frequencies. Beyond its wideband prowess, this absorber champions the attributes of simplicity and lightweight construction, rendering it an attractive candidate for diverse applications. Moreover, it showcases an inherent indifference to polarization, a pivotal feature for stealth applications. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.