Textile Integrated Waveguide Switch

A switch embedded into a textile integrated waveguide (TIW) was designed for the ISM band 5.8 GHz. Using a 3D knitted fabrics as a substrate, a self-adhesive copper foil for manufacturing conductive surfaces and a conductive thread for the fabrication of side walls, a TIW T -junction was created. PIN diodes in the output branches of the T -junction were used then to switch the transmission between the input port and output ports on or off. PIN diodes controlled conductive posts connecting the top surface and the bottom one of TIW; posts were surrounded by a circular slot. Functionality of the concept of the described textile-integrated switch was proven by simulations and measurements.