EBG-Backed Flexible Printed Yagi–Uda Antenna for On-Body Communication

An electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structure backed, printed Yagi-Uda antenna for on-body communication is proposed in this communication. The proposed antenna is flexible, made of copper foil tape and polyester sheet. The antenna operates at 2.4-GHz industrial, scientific and medical radio band. A printed Yagi-Uda is used to achieve high gain, endfire radiation pattern, and decreased path loss. An EBG surface is also used to reduce the frequency detuning of the antenna and specific absorption rate (SAR) while increasing the antenna gain when placed on human body. Antenna gain has been increased by 60%, and SAR has been decreased from 8.55 to 0.07 W/kg when the antenna is backed with EBG.