Via-less electromagnetic band-gap-enabled antenna based on textile material for wearable applications

Area of Science:

• Electromagnetic Engineering
• Wearable Technology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Medical Body-Area Networks (MBANs) require compact, efficient, and body-compatible antennas.
• Existing antenna designs face challenges with human body loading effects and size constraints.
• Electromagnetic Bandgap (EBG) structures offer potential solutions for antenna performance enhancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a compact fabric antenna integrated with EBGs for MBAN applications.
• To address the need for low-profile, directive, and robust antennas for wearable systems.
• To evaluate the performance and human body interaction of the proposed antenna-EBG system.

Main Methods:

• Design and integration of a compact fabric antenna with novel EBG structures.
• Simulation and experimental analysis of antenna performance (gain, FBR, efficiency).
• Assessment of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) and robustness to human body loading and bending.

Main Results:

• The integrated antenna-EBG achieved a gain of 7.2 dBi, FBR of 12.2 dB, and 74.8% efficiency.
• EBGs acted as a shield, reducing antenna size and back radiation.
• Demonstrated over 95% reduction in Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) compared to antennas without EBGs.

Conclusions:

• The proposed compact fabric antenna with EBGs is suitable for wearable applications, particularly in healthcare.
• EBGs effectively mitigate human body detuning and reduce radiation absorption.
• The antenna exhibits robust performance under body loading and bending conditions.