Diversity performance of microstrip patch antennas placed on human body at ISM and MBAN frequencies

Abstract

In this study, the diversity performance of microstrip patch antennas mounted on the chest and the back of a person is investigated in static and dynamic indoor environments at ISM (2.4-2.5 GHz) and medical body area network (2.36-2.4 GHz) bands. Power received by the radios worn by the person while standing and walking is recorded and compared. In addition, antennas are simulated on a human body to study the effect of the human body. The work was done as part of a remote patient monitoring project, and hence the effectiveness of the antenna diversity in the indoor data communications and the impact of the human body on the quality of the communication linked were studied as well.