UWB wearable antenna for next generation wireless body area networks (WBANs)

The IEEE 802.15.6 is a WBAN communication standard which is covering on/off body and in body communications. The ultra wideband (UWB) is one of the possible technologies which can be utilized in future for the WBAN applications due to high data-rate transmission capability. In this paper, the design, optimization and simulation of a UWB antenna using FR4 and jeans fabric substrates is presented for on-body communication in WBANs. It operates in the 3.6-11.3GHz frequency band. The antenna simulation results i.e. reflection coefficient, 2D and 3D radiation patterns, directivity, gain and efficiency are presented. The maximum achieved gain for the UWB wearable antenna is 1.9dBi and 2.36dBi respectively for FR4 and jeans substrates. Simple design procedures and optimization techniques are discussed and the antennas are designed using Agilent advance design system - momentum simulator.