A flexible tri-band inverted c-shaped conformal antenna for on-body communications

- A tri-band, compact, flexible, and wearable antenna is simulated, numerically analyzed, and fabricated for on-body wireless body area network (WBAN) communication applications. The flexible design of the antenna is capable of operating at three different frequencies 2.45 GHz for the Industrial Scientific Medical band (ISM), 3.5 GHz for WiMAX, and 5.2 GHz for Wireless Local Area Network. The overall design dimensions are 2618×0.543mm3; the proposed antenna design is a combination of inverted C-shaped patches, a defective ground plane, and a microstrip feed line. The antenna layout is developed in CST Microwave Studio and then fabricated on polymer-based substrate Roger 5880. The antenna's maximum gain, 2.34 dBi, is attained at 5.2 GHz, while its minimum gain, 1.2 dBi, is seen at 2.45 GHz. When the antenna is working at 2.45 GHz, the maximum radiation efficiency is around 79.25 %. Additionally, bending analysis of design is numerically evaluated along x- and y-axes at three distinct radii of 20, 40, and 60 mm, respectively. The antenna is also tested on a human phantom model to predict on-body exploration of the specific absorption rate (SAR). All experimental and simulation results regarding this antenna are suitable for body-worn emerging applications.