Design and analysis of wearable patch antenna array for MBAN applications

Design idea of wearable rectangular patch antenna and its array for MBAN (2.36 - 2.4 GHz) applications are proposed in this paper. Microstrip line with quarter wave transformer is used for feeding purpose. Polyamide lossy (Nylon-6) is used as dielectric substrate whereas the conductive parts i.e. patch and ground plane consists of nickel - copper - nickel coating on the textile substrate. The presence of highly conductive coating on substrate (i.e., surface resistance of 0.1 ohms/m
²
) aids in the reduction of losses. Five layer model consisting of bottom textile, air gap, skin, fat and bone is considered here. Since the wearable antennas are body worn devices effect of body curvature is also considered by conforming the antennas on cylindrical surface.