Textile Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) antennas at the millimeter-wave band (mmW)

A textile antenna is proposed for what is called “on body communications”, with a focus on the integration of a Wireless Body-Area Network (WBAN) system to be deployed in medical applications. This antenna is a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) Yagi-Uda antenna, operating in the frequency band 57-64 GHz. This paper describes the design and simulation using ANSYS HFSS of the proposed system. The design is optimized so as to keep the reflection coefficient less than 10dB and to resonate around the desired frequency range. Its idea is based on implanting textile sensors in the human body to collect various physiological changes in order to monitor patients' health status wherever their location is. This device will instantly transmit wirelessly all information in real time to doctors through an external processing unit. If an emergency is detected, the physician will immediately inform the patient through a computer system by sending appropriate messages or alarms. This wireless technology has also the potential to reduce the costs by decreasing the need to have medical personnel in close proximity to patients at all time.