Design and Analysis of 39GHz 5G Array Antennas for WBAN Applications

The increasing demand for reliable, high-speed communication in 5G applications highlights the need for highperformance antennas in Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs). Traditional single-element microstrip antennas face limitations in gain and bandwidth, especially when placed near the human body, where electromagnetic absorption reduces performance. This study addresses these challenges by designing a circular microstrip patch antenna and evaluating array configurations (1×2, 1×4, 2×2) to optimize key performance metrics such as gain, bandwidth, and efficiency. The target attribute is to enhance gain and bandwidth at 39 GHz, a frequency selected for its suitability in mmWave 5G applications, offering high data rates and reduced interference. The antenna, built on a Rogers RT5880 substrate with a 1.57 mm thickness, achieved a gain of 7.385 dBi and a bandwidth of 6.4 GHz in free-space simulations. On-body simulations with a human torso phantom showed significant improvements for array configurations: the 1×4 array reached a peak gain of 9.73 dBi, a bandwidth of 8.18 GHz, and a reflection coefficient of 49.69 dB at a 4 mm distance. The 2×2 array provided a gain of 9.23 dBi and a radiation efficiency of 81.28%. These results demonstrate that the array antennas, particularly the 1×4 and 2×2 configurations, outperform single-element designs, making them ideal for high-frequency WBAN applications in the emerging 5G landscape.