An eight-element conformal MIMO antenna for 5G-enabled Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) communications

Abstract This paper presents the design and analysis of a conformal dual-band quasi-Yagi antenna tailored for Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) and 5G-enabled Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) applications. The antenna is fabricated on a flexible polyimide substrate, ensuring mechanical conformability and stable performance on curved surfaces. The proposed design is based on a wedge-shaped quasi-Yagi radiator, incorporating a microstrip-to-slot transition for efficient excitation. The antenna features three pairs of wedge-shaped radiating arms and an arc-shaped director to enhance gain and directionality. Simulated results demonstrate dual-band operation at 2.45 and 3.4 GHz, with fractional bandwidths of 8.16% and 8.59%, respectively, and a reflection coefficient |S 11 | ≤ −10 dB. The design is further extended to an eight-element Multiple-Input Multiple-Output configuration, ensuring enhanced spatial diversity, low mutual coupling (<−15 dB), and improved gain (>5 dBi). The antenna’s performance is validated through simulations, demonstrating its suitability for real-time medical data transmission. With its compact size, high efficiency, and conformal nature, the proposed antenna effectively addresses the challenges of wearable IoMT and WBAN communication systems.