Novel Compact Design and Investigation of a Super Wideband Millimeter Wave Antenna for Body-Centric Communications

Abstract

This paper presents a novel design for a multiple band millimeter wave antenna with a wide active region in the extremely high frequency (EHF) range. The antenna's performance was tested at three evenly separated frequencies: 60 GHz within the V-band region, 80 GHz within the E-band region, and 100 GHz. Simulation exhibits satisfactory results in terms of gain and efficiency, although the efficiency falling tendency for higher frequency persists. As millimeter wave antennas have miniature-like dimensions and low penetration depth into human body layers, the performance of these antennas is less disturbed by the presence of a human body, making them ideal for body-centric wireless communication (BCWC) applications. Thus, a human body model was created virtually with the necessary property data. Simulations are repeated at the same frequencies as before, with the antenna kept close to the constructed human body model. The results were promising as the gains found increased radiation patterns and return loss curves remained almost identical, except some efficiencies that were considered. Some H-plane radiation patterns are changed by the presence of a human body. Although all three frequencies present satisfactory results, 60 GHz is found to be more balanced, but 100 GHz shows better gain and directivity. Multiple band operability makes this antenna suitable for various applications. Finally, a distance-based analysis was conducted to realize the in-depth characteristics of the antenna by placing the antenna at five different gaps from the human body. The result verifies the antenna’s category as suitable for body-centric communications.

Design and Analysis of a 5G Wideband Antenna for Wireless Body-Centric Network

“…The textile-based mmWave antenna presented by Wagih et al operating at 26 GHz and 28 GHz exhibited an on-body peak gain of 7 dB with 40% efficiency [25]. Aside from the research reviewed above, a few more studies on 5G and mmWave antennas for body area networks [25][26][27][28][29][30] have also shown promising results. A huge wideband array antenna operating at 60 GHz for body-centric communication has been 2…”

A Novel Design and Study of a Self-Complimentary Miniaturized Millimeter Wave Antenna for Body-Centric Networks

“…Such properties make mmWave antennas potential candidates for bodycentric networks. The mmWave frequency range extends from 30 GHz to 300 GHz, with wavelengths ranging from 10 mm to 1 mm [6][7][8]. Within this wide frequency range, several frequency bands are free for public use, which has made them more popular among others.…”

“…But, there are certain challenges while using this frequency for communication, which is the high attenuation for atmospheric absorption. This limits its usage for long-distance communications [6,10,11]. However, for body-centric network applications, especially for advanced future healthcare facilities, 60 GHz can be implemented.…”

“…Except for those mentioned above, a little other research on millimeter wave body area network antennas like [6,[37][38][39] also produced promising results. This paper proposes a millimeter wave patch antenna design intended for the body-centric network (BCN).…”

Low-Cost Lens Antenna Design for Microwave Moisture Detection

“…Selecting the appropriate type of antenna and rationally optimizing its size and shape can achieve good antenna radiation characteristics so that the antenna has high gain, low VSWR, low return loss, sharp main lobe, and small side lobes. Furthermore, the ideal design can compress device volume, improve portability, and reduce cost [8][9][10]. Compared with the traditional horn antenna, the Vivaldi antenna has a unidirectional and stable radiation pattern and has a simpler structure, easier processing, and lower cost.…”