Compact Dual-Band Wearable Antenna for Wireless Body Area Network Applications

This study introduces a compact, low-profile monopole antenna for wireless body area network (WBAN) applications. The proposed antenna is derived from a conventional microstrip rectangular patch design and operates in two industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) frequency bands: 2.4 GHz (2.4–2.5 GHz) and 5.8 GHz (5.725–5.875 GHz). The antenna's overall dimensions are 16×26×0.8 〖mm〗^3 or 0.13λ₀×0.212λ₀×0.0065λ₀, where λ_0 represents the free-space wavelength at 2.45 GHz. These dimensions ensure a compact and space-efficient design. The antenna achieves fractional bandwidths of 4.89% and 69.13% at 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz, respectively. The radiation pattern is omnidirectional at both frequency bands, with a maximum gain exceeding 4 dBi. The antenna's performance was further evaluated on a phantom model of chest tissue, demonstrating stable operation over body tissues. The specific absorption rate (SAR) at both frequency bands was also analyzed, confirming compliance with safety standards. The compact size and robust performance make the proposed antenna a promising candidate for integration into WBAN sensors and devices. All simulations were performed using CST Microwave Studio software.