On-Body Low-Profile Compact AMC-Integrated Wideband Antenna for Body Area Network Applications

Abstract

This communication presents a wideband and a low-profile flexible wearable antenna intended to operate at a 2.45 GHz WBAN band. The suggested antenna comprises a CPW-fed monopole antenna backed by an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) to act as a reflector. The latest AMC-integrated design uses R03003 as a dielectric substrate. The suggested design features an impedance bandwidth of 71.03% (1.87–3.93 GHz) with a gain value of 3.62 dBi and has a compact footprint of 40 × 40 mm². The incorporation of wideband AMC with a monopole antenna leads to bandwidth enhancement and covers the 3.5 GHz WiMAX band. Simulation and experimental studies provide evidence that in the case of structural deformities and human body loading, the suggested AMC-integrated antenna is stable and shows superior efficiency relative to the traditional monopole antenna. Furthermore, numerical analysis demonstrates that the amount of radiation AMC-integrated antenna decreases tremendously in terms of specific absorption rate for various bodily attachment scenarios. Three body templates with various compositions and forms were used to study the effects of the antenna on bodily attachment. Extensive experiments on human body phantoms and bodily attachment are also conducted and the results are presented. The suggested AMC-integrated design thus confirms a promising contender for portable wearable wireless applications.

KEYWORDS:

• AMC
• Coplanar waveguide
• Flexible
• Low profile
• Metamaterials
• Monopole
• Phantom model
• Specific absorption rate
• Wideband
• Wearable

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Amit Baran Dey

Amit Baran Dey received his BTech degree from Assam University, Silchar, India and an MTech degree from the National Institute of Technology, Silchar, India both in the Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) Department. Presently, he is pursuing PhD degree at the National Institute of Technology, Silchar, Assam. He is an active IEEE member and is the reviewer of IEEE Transactions on Antenna and Propagation and Wireless Personal Communication, Springer. He has published research papers in conferences and journals. His research interests include machine learning, deep learning, microstrip antennas, metamaterial-based antennas, multiband antennas, MIMO, wearable antennas, antennas for disease detection, rectenna system design and so forth.

Wasim Arif

Wasim Arif is currently associated with the National Institute of Technology, Silchar, India as an associate professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering. He is an active member of IEEE and IEEE Communication Society. He is also the branch chapter advisor of the IEEE ComSoc NIT Silchar Student Branch Chapter under the Kolkata Section and the ExCom member of the IEEE Kolkata Section. He completed his Bachelor of Engineering in electronics and communication engineering with a gold medal from Burdwan University, WB, India and his Master of Engineering in telecommunication engineering from Jadavpur University, India. He received his PhD from NIT Silchar. He has published over 60 papers including reputed international journals and conferences. His research interests include wireless communication, cognitive radio, spectrum sharing and mobility, resource sharing and allocation in 5G, metamaterial inspired antennas and energy harvesting. He has authored one book on Spectrum Handoff in Cognitive radio networks and filed two patents. He has earned various projects under the Govt of India sponsored by MEITY, NRDC and DHE, GoI. He is serving as the associate dean of Students Welfare and the convener of the Institute Innovation Cell. Email: [email protected]