Design and fabrication of a biocompatible antenna for wearable technologies

Abstract

This paper presents the design, simulation, fabrication, and measurement of a flexible antenna for wearable healthcare applications operating at 2.4 GHz. The antenna utilizes a coplanar waveguide (CPW) structure with strategically placed slots in the ground plane to enhance impedance matching and bandwidth performance. Printed on a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) substrate using a semi-sintering silver-based ink, the antenna maintains mechanical flexibility without compromising electrical performance. Simulations show a peak gain of 3.5 dBi and over 90% efficiency at 2.4 GHz. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) analysis, performed with the antenna placed millimeters away from the body, indicates SAR values of 0.2 W/kg for 1g of tissue and 0.11 W/kg for 10g, both well below international safety limits. The proposed design provides high radiation efficiency, mechanical adaptability, and safe operation, making it a promising solution for wearable technology applications.

This work was financially supported in part by the Spanish Government-MICINN under Projects TED2021-131209B-I00, PID2021-124288OB-I00 and a part by AGAUR (FI Joan Oro)(2023 FI-1 00453).

Peer Reviewed

Postprint (published version)