The proliferation of the Internet of Things devices and advancements in wireless communication have fostered the growth of Wireless Body Area Networks (WBAN). This research provides a triband antenna supported by a 4 × 4 Artificial Magnetic Conductor (AMC) array surface that has a low Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), a high Front to Back Ratio (FBR), and increased gain for use in wearable devices. For WBAN communications, the proposed antenna operates in the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (2.4 GHz) band, the C (3.7–4.2 GHz), and the Wi-Fi 6E (5.925–7.125 GHz) bands. The dual-band AMC unit cell exhibits Double-Negative and angular stability behaviour at 2.45 GHz and 6.5 GHz. AMC-backed antenna achieved multiband functionality by incorporating slots into the unit cell and a defective ground structure into the antenna. The antenna was positioned 0.139λ
0
above the AMC surface, which measured 0.556λ
0
× 0.556λ
0
× 0.013λ
0
(at 2.45 GHz). The antenna exhibited good gain and return loss variations when mounted on curved surfaces. The proposed integrated design yielded substantial enhancements, as evidenced by the increase of 8.2 dBi in maximum gain, 25.2 dB in FBR, and over 93% in total efficiency. The AMC-backed antenna’s − 10 dB impedance bandwidth is 18.4%, 21.2%, and 22.3%, with corresponding frequency ranges of 2.25–2.66 GHz, 3.66–4.53 GHz, and 5.9–7.35 GHz. Additionally, the AMC surface showed an average reduction in SAR of 93.22%. Vector Network Analyzer and Anechoic chamber measurements proved simulation accuracy. As a result, it is strongly recommended that the integrated antenna design be acknowledged in WBAN communications.
An artificial magnetic conductor (AMC)-based patch antenna with a low profile is developed for wireless devices in IoT-based healthcare systems. The proposed antenna comprises two pairs of circular-shaped patches with circular-shaped slots and a dual-band 4 × 4 array of AMC reflectors with two zero-degree reflection responses to enhance the antenna's radiation performance. For the 2.45 GHz ISM and 5.4 GHz WLAN bands, the patch antenna has dimensions of 0.44
λ
0
× 0.52
λ
0
× 0.013
λ
0
, with partial ground structures to improve radiation characteristics. Following that, a unique dual-band symmetrical AMC unit cell with dimensions of 22 × 22 × 1.6 mm
3
is developed. There is a gap of 15 mm between the antenna and the AMC surface. The antenna is supported by a 4 × 4 AMC array that has a total dimension of 0.72
λ
0
× 0.72
λ
0
× 0.15
λ
0
. The reflection coefficient values of less than − 10 dB in the 1.7–2.5 and 5.1–5.6 GHz bands, with a bandwidth percentage of 38 and 9.3%, respectively. The antenna's gains were 7.2 and 4 dBi inside the bands. Furthermore, the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value did not match the WHO's safety and health guidelines. The issue was solved by including an AMC surface in the proposed antenna. At 2.45 and 5.4 GHz, SAR values of 0.58 and 1.04 W/Kg were measured. Vector network analyser and anechoic chamber were used to test the performance of antenna and AMC surface prototypes. There is a substantial agreement among measured and simulated parameters of an antenna. Consequently, the developed antenna combination with the AMC structure is suited for wireless devices in ISM and WLAN bands, often used in IoT-based healthcare systems.
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