Conformal Propagation and Near-Omnidirectional Radiation with Surface Plasmonic Clothing

Xi Tian (1) , Qihang Zeng (1) , Denys Nikolayev (1) , John S. Ho (2)

1 NUS - National University of Singapore
2 IETR - Institut d'Électronique et des Technologies du numéRique

Wireless technologies are essential components of wearable devices for applications ranging from connected health-care to human-machine interfaces. Their performance, however, is hindered by the human body, which obstructs the propagation of wireless signals over a wide range of directions. Here, we demonstrate conformal propagation and near-omnidirectional radiation of wireless signals near the body using clothing integrated with spoof surface plasmonic structures. These structures, fabricated entirely from conductive textiles, induce wireless signals emitted by nearby antennas to propagate around the body as surface waves and radiate as propagating waves in directions otherwise obstructed by the body. We describe the procedure for designing textile-based spoof surface plasmon waveguides, radiating elements, and impedance matching sections for operation in the 2.4-2.45 GHz ISM band. Using a tissue phantom model of the human torso, we experimentally demonstrate 2.62 greater angular coverage by a dipole placed near the body compared to without the clothing.

Keywords: Wearable antennas; spoof surface plasmons; smart textiles

Domains: Engineering Sciences [physics]

Xi Tian, Qihang Zeng, Denys Nikolayev, John S. Ho. Conformal Propagation and Near-Omnidirectional Radiation with Surface Plasmonic Clothing. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 2020, 68 (11), pp.7309-7319. ⟨10.1109/TAP.2020.2998216⟩. ⟨hal-02948496⟩