Design and Characterization of Conformal Microstrip Antennas Integrated into 3D Orthogonal Woven Fabrics

Abstract

The integration of the antenna and textile materials is very important in the army protective or data transmission clothing. In this study, a novel microstrip antenna integrated into a 3D orthogonal woven fabric was successfully designed and fabricated. This type of antenna is designed to work in wearable or conformal antenna applications. Simulation work using HFSS software was done for the determination of antenna size. Antenna performance including return loss, radiation pattern and gain were measured and the simulated results were found to have good agreement with the measured results. The measured return loss was-18.32dB with a resonant frequency of 1.75GHz. The gain under the frequency of 1.70GHz reached as high as 6.47dB. These results are considered to be very valuable, and this type of integrated antenna is expected to be useful as wearable antenna in the telecommunication or smart textile antenna field.

Copper deposition on textiles via an automated dispensing process for flexible microstrip antennas

“…[4][5][6] A bodyworn, flexible antenna needs to be low profile. 7,8 Microstrip antennas are particularly suitable for integration into textiles for two reasons: 9,10 (1) the planar shape, which provides desired conformability and creates no obstruction and (2) the layered structure, which makes it possible for microstrip antennas to be fabricated through a suitable printing process that is cost-effective and can be easily scaled up for mass production.…”

“…[12][13][14][15] Another way of integrating conductive wires into textiles is through the three-dimensional (3D) weaving technique. Microstrip antennas prepared this way were fully integrated into the 3D orthogonal woven substrate, 9 exhibiting highly enhanced structural integrity, compared to those with three separated layers being glued together by adhesives, and potentially improved mechanical robustness. Typical issues associated with integration of conductive wires into textiles include altered properties of the fabrics, such as flexibility, drapability, hand and comfort, and potential damage to spinning machinery, both due to the involvement of brittle and stiff metallic threads in the processes.…”