Design Analysis of Wearable Textile Antenna for Wireless Body Area Networks

Wireless body area networks (WBANs) have emerged as a critical technology for real-time health monitoring systems. Wearable antennas, integrated into clothing, play a key role in these networks by enabling seamless data transmission between healthcare-connected devices. Beyond medical applications, wearable antennas are increasingly used in GPS navigation, military systems, telemedicine, RFID, athlete performance tracking, and satellite communication. Recent advancements in wearable electronics have driven research into body-conformal antennas to enhance WBAN performance. This study proposes a low-profile, wearable microstrip patch antenna operating at 3.4 GHz within the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band, designed for continuous monitoring of human vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse rate, and body temperature. The antenna utilizes a 1 -mm-thick polyester cloth substrate with a relative permittivity of 1.44, ensuring flexibility and comfort. The design prioritizes low specific absorption rate (SAR), improved gain, voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), and reduced return loss for efficient performance. Simulations were conducted using High Frequency Structural Simulator (HFSS) software to evaluate key antenna parameters, including 2D and 3D gain, radiation patterns, and SAR values. Results demonstrate the antenna's suitability for wearable WBAN applications, balancing performance, safety, and practicality.