Development of wearable textile patch antenna 2.43 GHz for biomedical applications

Abstract

A body area network (BAN) is classified within the Personal Area Networks (PANs) spectrum and enables communication between devices positioned on the human body. BANs play a pivotal role in medical applications, notably in the continuous monitoring of a patient's health and the documentation of their medical history. Consequently, medical wearable products, such as textile antennas, have emerged as a leading area of research, posing significant challenges for researchers in this field. In this article, the design and implementation of a microstrip wearable patch antenna (WPA) with a rectangular configuration for use in medical applications were presented. The WPA was engineered to function at 2.43 GHz, and its capabilities for monitoring, issuing alerts, and facilitating requests for assistance during medical emergencies were demonstrated. The testing and modeling outcomes affirmed that the antenna met the criteria for compact size and extensive bandwidth capabilities. The design's practicality was enhanced by the incorporation of washable fabrics and the integration of conductive threads into the conductive elements. The innovation of the proposed WPA was found in its flexibility, lightweight design, ease of manufacturing, cost efficiency, and seamless integration into medical practices. The design process of the WPA included the utilization of the computer simulation technology (CST) software package for simulating the antenna, which was based on theoretically calculated dimensions. Subsequently, prototype samples were fabricated. The performance evaluation, particularly the measured results of the reflection coefficient (S11), confirmed the antenna's effective operation, with a radiated gain of 7.8224 dB being achieved at the operating frequency of 2.43 GHz. Moreover, these findings revealed that the performance of the wearable antenna was influenced when it was positioned on the human body, yet it remained suitable for a variety of medical diagnostic and monitoring applications.