Design, Analysis and Fabrication of Dual Frequency Distinct Bandwidth Slot Loaded Wash Cotton Flexible Textile Antenna for ISM Band Applications

Abstract

Wearable textile antenna is most appropriate for Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) applications due to its flexibility, compactness, and user compatibility. Dual band antenna has advantage in duplex communication, hence it is desirable. In this paper, a dualband microstrip antenna is designed using textile material as a substrate with a circular patch and a rectangular patch. Methods from literature and experimentation are compared based on performance parameters. Slots are loaded on the patch to achieve dual-band characteristics. HFSS software has been used to simulate the proposed antenna, and the results are compared with the fabricated antenna based on Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR), directivity, return loss, gain, impedance, and radiation pattern. Since the antenna operates with close proximity to the human body, the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is also calculated using the CST software and is found within the prescribed limits.