Bending and crumpling effects on a wearable planar monopole antenna

A Coplanar WaveGuide (CPW) monopole antenna designed to operate at the frequency (fr) of 2.05 GHz and intended to be put over a fabric is tested with respect to substrate deformations. In absence of deformations, the antenna bandwidth is 18.8% and its reflection coefficient is -44 dB. Deformations tested are bending in the H or the E-plane, crumpling and a combined situation. Results show that bending effect will not greatly affect the antenna in realistic situations (i.e. bending radius bigger or equal to 5 cm). Crumpling effect is more important and should be prevented.