A multi-layered dual-band on-body conformal integrated antenna for WBAN communication

This article presents a dual-band, multi-layered on-body conformal metamaterial (MTM) integrated antenna for Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) communication. The frequency bands range from 3.2 GHz to 3.5 GHz and 3.9 GHz to 4.3 GHz. A zero-reflection-phase based MTM comprises of the 2 × 2 array of H-shaped unit-cell is installed beneath the monopole antenna to suppress the back radiations, and enhance the gain. The characterization of the unit-cell is done in terms of its reflection and transmission characteristics, refractive index, and material characteristics. The integration of the MTM brings down the peak 1-g-averaged SAR to 0.174 W/kg and 0.207 W/kg at the respective bands of the conformal configuration for a body-antenna separation of 1 mm. The proposed configuration proffers peak realized antenna gain of 4.54 dBi and 4.71 dBi, and Front to Back Ratio (FBR) of 11.79 dB and 12.98 dB at the respective frequency bands. The performance of the proposed antenna is rigorously analyzed against structural deformation, operating frequency, gain, and FBR. The measured performance of antenna agrees well with that of simulated results.