Woodpile EBG-based antennas for Body Area Networks at 60GHz

Two metamaterial Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) concept-based antennas are presented for applications in Body Area Network (BAN). The antennas work in V band at 60 GHz and are realized by means of a woodpile planar and cylindrical structure respectively. These structures are made of low loss alumina and can be manufactured through extrusion free-forming techniques. Both the here presented antennas take advantage from the directivity enhancement due to the resonant effect created by the partially reflecting woodpile structures. The reduced dimensions associated with the obtained directivity and pattern shape allow these antennas to be suitable for BAN applications. Specifically, the cylindrical antenna could be used for on-body applications, while the flat antenna is suitable for BAN-to-BAN or off-body communications.