Design and Analysis of Conformal Antenna for Future Public Safety Communications: Enabling Future Public Safety Communication Infrastructure

Future 4G wireless communication systems include, in their capabilities portfolio, emergency-specific needs, such as data support, broadband communication, and extremely high reliability. An emergency situation can be addressed with undoubtedly more chances of success if augmented information is enabled within the public safety communication novel capabilities. In this article, for a fully augmented information provision based on broadband transmission, a user-end (UE) communication-capabilities enhancement is addressed by deploying multiple antennas without compromising the portability and light weight of first-responder equipment. With this aim, we propose the design of a 4.9-GHz conformal antenna array at the rescuer side (integrated in a helmet) and evaluate its performance in terms of relative data rate gain. The conformal array design is based on traditional patch antennas that consider the need for deployment over an ellipsoidal surface. The antenna array is simulated and then built, and several parameter characterizations (bandwidth, radiation pattern, reflection coefficient, and MC) and measurements are undertaken to ensure the suitability of the design. Furthermore, an analysis of the specific absorption rate (SAR) is performed to guarantee that the exposure to electromagnetic fields is below the standardized levels.